Evacuation woes and acts of help surface in Houston area
Residents recount a 24 hour trip to Austin and a chaotic evacuation marked by gas shortages and gridlock. Officials from local to state levels call the operation a failure, while some observers praise helping acts amid crowds for fuel and water. Stories include an Anahuac woman’s 19 and a half hour trek and a convoy of eight with dogs aided by strangers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Austin
Houston Area
Aguilar
Rick Perry
Houston
Bill White
Texas
Harris County
Baytown
Chambers County
Janice Lacour
Anahuac
Lufkin
Lacour
Shari Kennedy
Beaumont
Liberty
Kennedy
Columbus
Rita evacuees review reveals gaps in Baytown response
Baytown officials from Mundinger to Sylvia praise emergency coordination but fault nursing home evacuations and late contingency planning. They urge more northern evacuation sites, better power and water backup, and quicker FEMA action while noting ongoing recovery hurdles and the persistent threat of future storms.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Perry
Sylvia
Mundinger
Louisiana
Mississippi
Port Arthur
Cameron
Baytown
Lufkin
Baytown relief efforts continue after Rita cleanup
Mundinger notes Baytown still seeks help for surrounding communities as cleanup costs reduce the city reserve from 70 to 68 days. FEMA disaster declaration unlocks aid for Harris County residents with a Recovery Center on South Loop East. Applicants advised to call 1 800 621 FEMA or visit FEMA.gov for assistance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mundinger
Baytown
Port Arthur
Cameron
Baytown Area
FEMA
Harris County
George W. Bush
Robert Eckels
Fema.gov
South Loop East
Houston
Evacuee Reflections On Storm Delay And Near Misses
A reader recounts hours of traffic with half a tank of gas and multiple near misses during Rita induced evacuations. They describe packed vehicles, family prep, and the emotional relief of returning home, while noting heroic efforts to aid others and staying safe amid widespread outages.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Medtronic, Inc
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Center For Rehabilitation
Garth
Garth Road
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital
Baytown Sun Newsroom
Trinity River
Houston Ship Channel
Coastal Water Authority
Trinity Bay
National Guard
Guy Robert Jackson
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Ron Paul
West Chambers County
Jackson
Paul
Army Corps of Engineers
Beach City
Guido Persiani
Persiani
Mont Belvieu
Nick Dixon
Mother Nature
Ford
BBC
Dayton
Rita
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