Residents return to Galveston

A woman waves to returning residents of Galveston during their first day back since Hurricane Ike struck. Thousands of people returned today for the first time since their island city was blasted by Hurricane Ike nearly two weeks ago.  (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)

Dyann Polzin holds a family diary destroyed by floodwaters as she cleans out her home in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.  (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

Melissa Martinez carries some of her belongings salvaged from her destroyed home in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike on Tuesday. Residents were officially allowed to return to the island today.  (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

Commercial fisherman Richard Jacobson surveys the damage on his shrimp boat on Tuesday in Galveston. Jacobson’s boat was destroyed by Hurricane Ike‘s tidal surge.  (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)

Galveston resident Ruben Rosas, 74, holds a cross he found in the rubble of his apartment Wednesday during his first visit back to Galveston since Hurricane Ike came ashore.  (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)