(sorry)
Posted on 09/22/2005 11:53:11 AM PDT by The Duke
I thought it might be constructive to bring the fine minds of Free Republic to bear on measures that might be taken, even at this late hour, to expedite the evacuation of Houston in the wake of Hurricane Rita. Free Republic gets enough eyeballs on a daily basis that it's entirely possible that good ideas may find their way to the right people.
As an example, might communications via simple AM radio channels be employed to faciliate the flow of traffic? A sign traveling against traffic down the shoulder of the road could instruct drivers to tune to a specific frequency for instructions that would facilitate the flow of traffic.
They could start by making 59 one way.
The people of Houston can turn around and go home. There is nothing to worry about. Karl Rove's weather machine is going to redirect Rita to New Orleans to finish off the ethnic cleansing.
(sorry)
Why doesn't some level of government (or even private) offer roadside interstate refueling?
Make a mobile 4 to 8 pump system that connects to a fuel semi and park it at a rest stop or on the shoulder and let people fill their tanks without leaving the highway. The line can form on the shoulder and other traffic can keep moving. Post signs indicating how far the next roadside fuel truck is waiting so drivers can decide to stop or continue.
Rita will miss Houston by 100 miles to the East, which means Houston will only get the trailing edge of the storm. Galveston and areas south of Houston should evacuate. People in Beaumont should be either in Dallas, or start digging a permanent 6-foot deep hiding place. But anything north of I-10 in Houston should just stay put.
I live in Austin - a good 250 miles from where the strom will hit - and irrational people are defoliating the grocery stores.
We don't all need to panic about this.
Moving a police-escorted gas tanker down the shoulder to fuel-up those who have run out of gas might be a good idea.
Once again, of course, in the opposite direction of the flow of traffic. Of course it would take a real hero to drive towards that mess! (so I guess they'd better not go looking for drivers at the DNC or ACLU offices).
And give up FM and CD noise? You'll never get many who will go along with it.
Nevertheless, everything I hear about Rita suggests that it's a "whole 'nother story".
However, the forecast as of yesterday showed a fair chance of a direct or near-direct hit on Houston. If Houston had taken your advice and waited - they would not have needed to evacuate today. However, if the forecast had not changed, everyone would be stuck in low-lying areas.
That is why you evacuate before you know for sure that the storm is coming - because if you wait until you know for sure, it's too late to get out.
Similar sentiments.
It is impossible for the millions in the Houston/Galveston area to evacuate. There is no where to go, and there are not enough highways to accommodate everybody at this late date. Today, Thursday, is one day too late to consider evacuation.
People should stay put who are NOT in the 100-year flood plain. That would alleviate the traffic jams.
I'm here for the duration. We are 60 miles inland and we are expecting 60 to 70 mph sustained winds on Saturday morning, with guests of 85. And Saturday afternoon, expecting gusts to 65. Probably a lot of tree damage; may lose electricity. Not expecting to lose phones or water or gas. And with the normal street flooding that comes with Texas rainstorms.
That's my prediction -- optimistic, I know. I am basing this on my estimate that the storm comes inland on the other side of Texas/Mississippi border.
I'm praying the Rita will not wipe out Galveston Island; I love it so much!
Posting from Southwest Houston
Florida has a system that works fairly well, although all roads get overwhelmed in these situations.
1. Open all lanes in the direction to evacuate. In certain areas I have even seen preplaced pole barriers to prevent access from entry ramps, to prevent head on accidents, and to allow the use of fewer police.
2. Use of a staggered evacuation time schedule.
I also think that once they make both sides of the Interstate one way, they should close entrance and exit ramps off of one side for a length of 200 miles. Then as flow started to trickle on the receiving end, they could open the next set of entry points and close the exits for another suitable distance at the far end. This would create a super express route. Tell people they need a full tank of gas and an empty bladder, because all stopped vehicles will be pushed into the median.
I agree with you about where the storm is going
to hit full on, but they are saying your 250 mile
zone is still not safe. The storm is over 400 miles
and while you won't get the heaviest winds, you will
be feeling the wetness with that thing barrelling
inward! Hope you're hundered down. Good Luck!
Also, some folks didn't understandy why they didn't reverse the highways to begin with. They didn't so that they could get in the ambulances and such to evacuate the hospitals, nursing homes etc. They had to have a way in. I don't know if I-10 has been reversed yet or not. I thought they were all supposed to be by now. Is there a live thread anywhere on FR?
Having lived in Houston for four years, I can say that the best thing to do is get the hell off of I-45 as soon as you can.
Driving that highway can be a nightmare even on a good day, especially during rush hour.
And this is the rush hour from hell.
Let me suggest that not everyone needs to leave Houston, they simply need to be relocated into secure and well stocked structures within the city. If we can accomplish that we can spare lives and evacuate them further inland after the storm as conditions require. Right now we would get more bang for the buck by concentrating the effort on preparing and stocking whatever buildings are suitable for a CAT V emergencies. Lack of preparation is where NOLA fell apart. Prepare now, don't panic, and everything will work out well.
Make that "hunkered"! <>g<>
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