September 22, 2005
State Won't Open Both Sides of Highway 290
By Phillip Martin
Whereas the state plans to open up both sides of Interstate 10 and Interstate 45, so that all north/south/east/west-bound lanes will be helping people get out of Houston, the state, as of now, is not opening up Highway 290 or Highway 6. I work at the capitol, and we've received many phone calls from people who have family members that have only moved a mile or two in five hours. Apparently, some people are simply giving up on Highway 290 and turning back into Houston, despite the mandatory evacuation order.
The reason not for turning around Highway 290? In Brenham, the road narrows, and it will all be gridlocked. So, rather than having there be a gridlock out of the path of the storm, the state feels it will be better to strand thousands of folks on Highway 290.
Meanwhile, if anyone has folks stranded on Highway 290 or Highway 6, the best idea might be to turn back into Houston and try to exit on I-10 or I-45, where both sides of the highway will be open for outgoing traffic.
**UPDATE***
OK, so the word is that the state wants to keep Highway 290 open for emergency vehicles. I can understand that...though I still feel that you could divert traffic to the other lane today and through some of tomorrow to help get people out, then close that other side again when the storm starts to hit (when emergency vehicles would need to get into the city). However, I take the point of my commenter well, that we don't need to tie up phone lines. Let's just hope those in charge make good decisions, and everyone gets out safe.
Any word on Matt?
Posted by Phillip Martin at September 22, 2005 01:32 PM
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Ya think that all the people who do this for a living might have a clue? Here's what happens when you call the politicians. They then bombard EOCs with phone calls and tie up decision makers. We're all already aware of the traffic problems.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/3364562
Obviously they had no real plan other than just tell people to leave. Major freeway and highway routes out of the area should have been opened on both sides as one way routes out of the area. Residents, particularly in storm surge areas, should have been "zoned" by some sort of map grid. A leaves at 3. B leaves at 4. C leaves at 5.
Being able to drive 5 miles in 12 hours just isn't good planning. And of course I-10 could have been opened on both sides to make it one-way out of Houston. But it isn't. Nothing is. And people are sitting there in literal ovens. Those who survive the evacuation may start a recall movement. I hope they do. White and Eckels both should go. Incompetent is a compliment.
If the storm does turn again and hits us, there will be tens of thousands stuck on freeways and highways in hurricane force winds. So much for Houston being prepared. It will redefine being put in harm's way.
This sucks if you ask me.
They finally got I-10 open on both sides heading out. How long did it take them? I guess the local "blame game" will start tomorrow when they realize they called it wrong and called it too early.
The "models" seem to be moving further eastward every hour. Although covering themselves with "still a possibility." Absolutely. I would never disagree with that. What I would disagree with is that our government in this country plans for any posssibility. They don't seem capable of any orderly and concerted evacuation and disaster response plan.
Imagine what would happen in a biological or nuclear attack on one of our cities.
The really bad news is the latest forecast which calls for it to move in and then stall in northern Texas/Louisiana and then come back at Houston after all as a tropical storm. Think Allison. Wherever you evacuate, it may still hit you.
Might be nice if Houston had some actual shelters. That seems to be the biggest problem in all of this. Those of us who stay have nowhere to go and watch the roof cave in.
