Texas Port Arthur officials say Hurricane Rita added 300 buildings to the city's demolition list.
The city already had 400 buildings on the demolition list before Hurricane Rita made landfall on September 24th. Officials say the additional damaged or abandoned properties will stretch the time and expense of cleaning up.

Port Arthur Community Services Director Lawrence Baker says some people haven't come back to the city
after the hurricane. He says the long process of demolition is just beginning.

The hurricane's damage also created a need for housing. Baker says his office has received more inquiries about vacant lots.

Officials say more homes will be demolished as the funds become available. It costs about 35-hundred dollars to demolish a building. In some cases, the city is working with property owners to get the job done.