Houston Evacuation: Bring Your Own Ride

Full Announcement Here

September 21, 2005 -- The City of Houston and Harris County issued several statements regarding Hurricane Rita and Hurricane preparedness measures for the Greater Houston area.

At a live press conference at 9:30 AM Central, Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels announced the following:

• A request has been issued for voluntary evacuation of those living in flood-prone areas, storm surge areas and mobile homes. The map outlining those areas is available on the City of Houston Web site www.houstontx.gov/oem/hurricane.html or many media Web sites.
• Mandatory evacuations will begin for persons living in Zone A at 6 p.m. today, 2 a.m. Thursday for those in Zone B, and 6 a.m. Thursday for those in Zone C. The zone map is available at www.houstontx.gov/oem/hurricane.html Mandatory evacuation also will be in place for Houstonians living within the storm surge area, living in areas that typically flood, and for anyone who lives in a mobile home.
• Persons needing assistance with transportation are asked to contact family, friends, etc, to make arrangements. Please be aware that there are not enough governments vehicle to move everybody. People need to take responsibility for their own evacuation plans.
• Persons needing assistance and are unable to make transportation arrangements are asked to call 3-1-1. Those living outside the Houston area should call 713.837.0311. Extra personnel have been placed to handle the calls.
• Emergency management officials are asking that all employers dismiss non-essential employees from reporting to work on Thursday and Friday. However, certain essential businesses, including banks, gasoline stations, pharmacies, hardware stores and grocery stores should remain open as long as prudently possible to help Houstonians prepare for the hurricane's potential arrival.
• Officials are asking all schools to close on Thursday and Friday.
• The official communication network during Hurricane Rita is KTRH 740AM. Spanish broadcasts will be done on KLOL 101FM.

Well Houston and America we are now our own first responders. I guess Mayor White saw the writing on the wall after Katrina. The feds either can not or will not take responsibility for disaster relief or evacuation prior to a disaster. Hell, with all the man-made disasters this administration has caused or have been party to, is anyone really surprised anymore. What worries me is that Houston has a large poor population. Coupled with the refugees from Katrina, we may be in for a repeat of a national tragedy. All our hopes for the people of Houston.