IMPORTANT INFO. FOR Texans(Closings, evac., etc.)

[mf_dolphin]

For those planning to evac there are numerous reports of I-45 North already becoming a parking lot from the coast to Houston. Highway 146 seems to be the better route right now for those heading NE.

[Starburst]

City of Corpus Christi soon to announce mandatory evacuation noticeKRIS 6 News has learned that the City of Corpus Christi is expected to issue a mandatory evacuation for the City of corpus Christi later this evening. Stay with KRIS 6 News for the latest updates.

[Shoshana]

City of Austin website

The greater Austin area welcomes Hurricane Rita evacuees
For immediate release
September 21, 2005

All hotels in the Central Texas area are full. Do not anticipate finding a hotel room.

If possible, seek shelter with a friend, or family member.

Pets will be accepted at area shelter sites. However, they will be housed in a separate pet area and will not be allowed in the shelter itself.

For up-to-date information on the shelter that is currently open, as well as information for persons with trailers, campers and livestock, tune to KLBJ 590AM radio.

At a minimum, this information will be updated by KLBJ on the half-hour.

DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 unless you have a true emergency.

Call (512) 974-1110 for more information.

[lisa0825]

For those planning to evac there are numerous reports of I-45 North already becoming a parking lot from the coast to Houston. Highway 146 seems to be the better route right now for those heading NE.

Most major highways are parking lots. I left Texas City at 2:45 and got to Beltway 8 at 6:45. I got to my friend's house in west houston at 10pm. It was a total of 55 miles in over 8 hours. I-10 is a parking lot. 290 is a parking lot. We were planning on going to Austin, but I'd rather be stranded here than on the road.

They are suposed to be discussing opening inbound lanes to outbound traffic, but may not have the manpower to close the ramps. If they do that, we may be able to evacuate further. Otherwise, we're hunkering down here. Wish me luck

[TexasStooge]

BREAKING NEWS

HOUSTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/Texas Cable News) - Interstate 45 will become an all one-way northbound route from Houston to Buffalo, effective about 9 a.m. CDT today. Details to come.

Traffic from Traffic Pulse:

Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic

Houston Traffic

[DPTX]

I would have really thought they would have it begin further south. It will begin just south of Conroe.
I appologize. Something is better than nothing. I am just so frustrated. We are barely out of the surge zone and have been tied here because of my Dad's dialysis that was to have taken place this morning at 6. When we got there it was canceled and now we are virtually stuck.
D.J. in Deer Park

[DPTX]

In Deer Park we have an automated phone system for emergencys.We just had the phone call changing the voluntary evacuation to mandatory.
DPTX

[x-y-no]

Houston gridlock:



Houston traffic cams can be viewed here:

http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/cameras/

[f5]

with each model run Texas looks to be more and more out of the woods unforntunely that is extremly bad news for NOLA

[Shoshana]

From the Travis County website:

Expo Center Horse Shelter Full

The Travis County Exposition Center -- a designated shelter for horses being evacuated from the area endangered by Hurricane Rita -- is full and cannot accept any additional animals. Listen to KLBJ 590 AM on the half-hour for current information on livestock shelters.

Live webnews feed - http://www.khou.com/

Texas Traffic Information

TxDOT Roadway Information Portal

Houston TranStar Website

Wireless access to Houston Transtar: Houston TranStar Mobile Traffic Information

Get Houston traffic information on your mobile device using the Houston TranStar Mobile Information Website at http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/mobile/.

New! In addition to incidents, construction lane closures, and freeway travel times, the site now has the capability of displaying traffic maps specifically designed for mobile devices such as color Palms, Pocket PCs and some Blackberrys.

To access the information, your wireless device must have access to the Internet and have web browsing service enabled by your service provider. If you have any questions, contact your service provider. The traffic information has been formatted to work on all the most popular mobile devices and web browsers.

Accessing Houston TranStar Traffic Information Using Your Internet-Enabled Mobile Device

To access Houston TranStar traffic information with your mobile device, specify the URL http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/mobile in your device’s web browser. If you do not know how to specify a URL on your device, consult the device manual or contact your wireless service provider.

'shana