HOUSTON – With Hurricane Laura headed to our shores, now is time to have your emergency and evacuation plans ready to activate. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently in activation mode and encourages everyone to also be prepared with an emergency kit and evacuation plan.
Make a checklist of preparations to be made in the event of an evacuation, particularly if you live in an evacuation zone. If you believe you will not be evacuating, prepare a survival kit. In addition to stocking up on bottled water, non-perishable food items, first aid kits and cash, TxDOT is also encouraging all residents to keep their gas tanks full during hurricane season.
Safety of the traveling public is a priority at TxDOT and the agency is committed to providing the infrastructure to get people out of harm’s way and providing assistance with cleanup and recovery. TxDOT wants to remind those evacuating to do their part in making the evacuations safe by obeying all signage and speed limits and observing timely evacuation based on zip zone scheduling and local authority directives.
Our crews are currently clearing debris from drains, preparing our facilities, fleet and equipment for quick mobilization, picking up non-essential lane closures, and staging flood prone areas so our crews can act fast to secure and clear flooded roadways.
Please continue to stay weather aware by paying attention to local media outlets and your local government. For updated information on Texas road conditions, call our hotline at (800) 452-9292 or visit DriveTexas™ online at
www.DriveTexas.org. Road closure information will be posted at
www.houstontranstar.org. For Houston-specific TxDOT news and information, follow us on Twitter @TxDOTHoustonPIO.