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August 30, 2008

Jefferson, Orange County call for Sunday mandatory evacuation

By Sherry Koonce

BEAUMONT —



By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

BEAUMONT — As Hurricane Gustav prepares to enter the Gulf of Mexico, Jefferson and Orange County officials have called for a mandatory evacuation beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday.

In a press conference Saturday, Crystal Holmes, Beaumont Police Department spokesperson, said the decision had not been made lightly.

“We had to take into consideration the number of people from the area, take into account the financial hit on industry and how long it takes for industry to shut down refineries,” Holmes said.

The storm’s questionable path, and history of previous storms not staying on their project paths, were other factors in the decision.

“At this time, we cannot judge the storm’s path, or the intensity,” Holmes said.

If Gustav’s path continues to fluctuate and takes a more westward movement, Southeast Texas could take a direct hit, she said.

In Jefferson County, evacuations will be made in a staggered process every two-hours. Sabine Pass residents go first at 6 a.m., Port Arthur, South-County residents at 8 a.m., Mid-County at 10 a.m. and Beaumont and surrounding areas at noon.

Southeast Texas residents are free to leave earlier than those designated hours, and may find the earlier, the better.

Once the evacuation is in effect, motorists traveling along U.S. 69 or U.S. 96 will not be allowed to divert from those highways, unless they can prove they need to leave the road to reach their evacuation destination, Holmes said.

Holmes said she did not know what effect Louisiana evacuations would have on local traffic routes. Those residents were urged to travel north, away from coastal communities.

Evacuees who have not yet made hotel room reservations, or, those who have not made prior arrangements with relatives or friends, should expect to travel at least north of Lufkin before finding shelter.

At this time, there are no plans to open contra-flow lanes which would allow only northbound traffic in all lanes, Holmes said.

Evacuation routes will have portable restroom areas set up, and gas stations along the way will have a more fuel available than what was available during the Rita evacuation, Holmes said.

Residents should take with them enough clothes and provisions to last 10 days in case the storm is severe enough to cause electrical failures, and to interfere with water service.

If Southeast Texas takes a direct hit and the storm damages the area like Rita did in 2005, people should not plan to return to their homes, especially in the hot summer weather.

“Without electricity, if it is 97 degrees outside, there is zero airflow inside,” Holmes said.

Holmes said it was not against the law to stay home and not evacuate, but residents should be aware they will be on their own. If the storm strikes the area, 9-1-1 calls will not be answered during the storm.

Jeff Branick, assistant to the county judge, said everyone in the decision-making process was aware that evacuations could be extremely stressful, costly and inconvenient, but if the storm comes in as strong as it is anticipated, people should leave the area for their own safety.

The national weather forecasters that local emergency workers have been talking with have less than 50 percent confidence in the accuracy of the storm’s current projected path, Branick said.

Contact this reporter at skoonce@panews.com.

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