Gov. Abbott's statements are dangerously stupid. The local TV stations aren't reporting what he said at all -- not even to shoot it down. If people left now, they'd be on the highway -- gridlocked -- and exposed to whatever weather conditions may exist.
Houston is not in any danger for severely destructive winds. Rain will be a problem, but it would be a problem in any other city people would go to. So going to San Antonio or Austin wouldn't reduce flooding risk. Besides, Houstonians should leave the hotel rooms in San Antonio and Austin to the people who had to evacuate Corpus Christi.
Yeah, Houston is way out of the immediate danger zone. Given a couple days of rain bands (unpredictable) they could see some serious flooding, but it will undoubtedly be worse elsewhere.