Thousands of residents became trapped for up to 14 hours on Houston-area freeways as nearly 2 million people along the Texas and Louisiana coasts were urged to get out of the way of Rita, a 400-mile-wide Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.
Red Cross set up a hot line with information about available shelter locations. Call (713) 313-5480 for details on the closest shelter.
"Normally the Red Cross does not open shelters in an area where we think there could be storm damage, as is about to happen. But in this case, we absolutely felt we had to get people off of the freeways if we could and so that's why we're doing this," said Denise Bishop, with the American Red Cross.
Bishop said they expect TxDOT to post shelter information on highway signs along the evacuation routes to help drivers locate them.
State Shelter Hubs Opened
State emergency officials set up shelter hub sites earlier in the week, where people can go to be placed at a shelter in other parts of Texas. These are the receiving points:
Those needing information about statewide shelters can call (888) 312-4567.
Here are some more local bloggers staying online during Rita:
"Master List" of Houston-Area blogs staying "live":
Don't blame me, I didn't name the site
Misc. local blogs:
Blogs of War: Complete Hurricane news links/resources
I am forbidden to enter that site. LOLOL!!!