Evacuation Suggestions

[Downdraft]

I'd like to see the states in hurricane prone areas change their license plates. They could base the plate color or number system on the area where the driver lives and the threat to that area from storm surge. That way officials could identify who needs to be on the road evacuating and who doesn't. Florida saw the same problems as Houston back when Floyd threatened the state and again with Opal. People were evacuating that had no need to and they clogged up the highways for the people that really needed to get out.
Another way to do it would be a metalic decal applied to the license plate. Red goes first, yellow second, etc. Heck, you might even be able to pick the routes based upon the colors. Just some ideas.

[x-y-no]

Now there's a really good idea!

One could maybe restrict lane usage based on decal (like cities do with HOV lanes now during commuting hours). For example, one could only allow cars with decals in the contraflow lanes.

[Roxy]

That's a great idea!!!

[Stormtrack]

I don't think that would work. Though I live in an evacuation zone (just barely) I realize that there are some people not in the zones that would need to get out, among them people living in trailers and shacks, people with special needs, and people who get hysterical in the face of apparent danger. Besides, with the volume of evacuees, I don't think it would be enforced. What is needed is more routes and better planning. There's no reason back roads shouldn't be used. And merging of people going to different destinations should be avoided.

[Downdraft]

I don't think that would work. Though I live in an evacuation zone (just barely) I realize that there are some people not in the zones that would need to get out, among them people living in trailers and shacks, people with special needs, and people who get hysterical in the face of apparent danger. Besides, with the volume of evacuees, I don't think it would be enforced. What is needed is more routes and better planning. There's no reason back roads shouldn't be used. And merging of people going to different destinations should be avoided.

Obviously people with special needs, trailer parks, other low lying areas would be prioritized also. Interstates are limited access highways it could very easily be enforced. Anyway it's just an idea.

[susan]

What kind of bottleneck would that cause? If you have to be checked before entering the contra lanes, there will be one long line. It is not a simple thing. Harris County is huge. Here is an excerpt from the Harris County Handbook..perhaps this would shed some light on the situation

The county comprises 1,778 square miles (1,729 in land) and is the largest Texas county east of the Nueces River. Its southern half is level coastal prairie, and the northern half touches the rolling East Texasqv timberlands. Central Harris County is fifty-five feet above sea level. The land rises gradually to more than 200 feet on the northern borders, while the smallish bluffs around upper Galveston Bayqv descend to sea level.

As you can see it is quite a diverse land area. We had people in the northern section evacuating the same time the people at sea level were trying to get out.

[jax]

the state can't stop someone from trying to evacuate...
even if they aren't in an evatioation zone... that's never
gonna happen. also... what about the tourists...

[themusk]

the state can't stop someone from trying to evacuate...
even if they aren't in an evatioation zone... that's never
gonna happen. also... what about the tourists...

No, but the state could designate certain roads (i.e. interstates) as evacuee only.

And (a response to a post above) it is possible to do the checking electronically, by embedded RFIDs, so that no one would have to stop. Those cars that don't have the right RFID could then be approached by the police. If they have a good reason, they would be allowed to continue, if they do not, they could be escorted off the highway.

[artist]

think that sounds like a wonderful idea! It used to be in Tx you could tell what area people were from by their tags. Bet it could be done and would help alot! Either that or with your registration receive a sticker for your car identifying your area.

[patgaz]

think that sounds like a wonderful idea! It used to be in Tx you could tell what area people were from by their tags. Bet it could be done and would help alot! Either that or with your registration receive a sticker for your car identifying your area.

I have a City of Galveston sticker on my windshield. These stickers are for re-entry after a storm. Galveston's evacuation planned worked well -- until we got stuck in Houston traffic.

I do belive that folks living in evacuation zones should have a window of opportunity to get out before those who are not in mandatory zones do so although I don't know how that could be accomplished.

[jdray]

Florida had the same issues with Floyd evacuation.

I-10 is now setup for contraflow. I assume Texas officials are working on a permanent solution like this as well.

[jax]

the state can't stop someone from trying to evacuate...
even if they aren't in an evatioation zone... that's never
gonna happen. also... what about the tourists...

No, but the state could designate certain roads (i.e. interstates) as evacuee only.

And (a response to a post above) it is possible to do the checking electronically, by embedded RFIDs, so that no one would have to stop. Those cars that don't have the right RFID could then be approached by the police. If they have a good reason, they would be allowed to continue, if they do not, they could be escorted off the highway.

no way... no way. If I live 30 miles from the coast and i feel like my family and myself are in danger even though the NHC and the state and
the president don't think I am... I can use any road that anyone else can
to evacuate... no one can keep me from evacuating. You can request
that I wait... you can't MAKE me wait...

[Stellar Storm]

I think these are really great ideas - and without them people wouldn't come up with better solutions. However, I live in Conroe, right off of Highway 105 West (6 miles West of I-45 freeway) and it wasn't until the very last 28 - 36 hours before the hurricane was to hit that I saw major traffic coming off of I-45 onto 105 West in an effort for people to find alternate routes out of Houston. It indicated to me that the major problem is people waiting. It's a tough call! The best solution is for the mets to tell us EXACTLY where it will hit at least 4 days in advance - without fail.

[GalvestonDuck]

I think I'll win the lottery and buy a copter. That'll make my next evac easy.

[Stellar Storm]

Hey, Galveston Duck - Just think of the $$$$ you could make giving rides! The traffic on 105 reminded me that when we were going down to our local Wally World, these men on the side of the road were selling flashlights. The selling point? They were rechargeable. Uhhhh....come again???

[Houstonia]

the state can't stop someone from trying to evacuate...
even if they aren't in an evatioation zone... that's never
gonna happen. also... what about the tourists...

No, but the state could designate certain roads (i.e. interstates) as evacuee only.

And (a response to a post above) it is possible to do the checking electronically, by embedded RFIDs, so that no one would have to stop. Those cars that don't have the right RFID could then be approached by the police. If they have a good reason, they would be allowed to continue, if they do not, they could be escorted off the highway.

no way... no way. If I live 30 miles from the coast and i feel like my family and myself are in danger even though the NHC and the state and
the president don't think I am... I can use any road that anyone else can
to evacuate... no one can keep me from evacuating. You can request
that I wait... you can't MAKE me wait...

But I bet there were a lot of people who thought they should evacuate, but didn't need to - if they had known for CERTAIN that they were not in a evac area - they probably wouldn't have tried.

This solution doesn't address the people who have already evacuated because THEY WANT TO or feel they NEED to. This addresses those people who are not really sure if they need to. Obviously there's always going to be those people who want to make the decision for themselves.

[Recurve]

Sure, as long as the tag lets Keys residents go first through all evacuation zones all the way to Georgia! we gotta worry about a CV system that arcs up from Hispaniola and threatens FL from Marathon to Jacksonville -- you can't stop until you're practically in Atlanta. I know, we should stay close to home, but I think I'd rather drown than get stuck in a hurricane in Miami.

[Frank2]

Galveston's evacuation [plan] worked well -- until we got stuck in Houston traffic.

True enough - that's the problem down here in South Florida - we'd probably do well, until we ran into the traffic of West Palm Beach, Orlando, etc.

The key is once the determination is made that leaving is the correct thing to do (it always isn't, as I've learned), trying to leave as soon as possible, even if it means leaving at 2 a.m., will often help to avoid traffic jams, long lines at gas stations, etc.

Frank

[dhweather]

Now there's a really good idea!

One could maybe restrict lane usage based on decal (like cities do with HOV lanes now during commuting hours). For example, one could only allow cars with decals in the contraflow lanes.

These are EXCEPTIONAL ideas - hopefully the gubbamint will do this in
all areas where hurricanes occur.

[Recurve]

I've left more than five times for storms, only hit one traffic jam, before Andrew. My strategy: get on the road late, even after midnight and DON"T take the expressway in the middle of an evacuation. No matter how bad surface roads are, there's often more choices for avoiding jams. If you break down, might be better off on a road through towns than an expressway.