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Hurricane Dean Spares Texas, but TxDOT Ready for Worst
Though Texas escaped Hurricane Dean’s effects, the storm provided TxDOT and other state agencies an opportunity to put their hurricane readiness plan into action. TxDOT began monitoring the storm early and began preparations to facilitate safety and mobility in the event of an evacuation.
Though the following efforts have been demobilized, beginning August 17th, nearly a week before the initial predicted potential Gulf Coast landfall, TxDOT began a multitude of efforts aimed at improving over the 2005 Rita evacuation. These included:
- Messages on highway dynamic message signs warning motorists of the potential for a hurricane evacuation and urging people to keep their gas tanks full
- Opening of the TxDOT Emergency Operations Center
- Sweeping of shoulders on appropriate evacuation routes in preparation for conversion to travel lanes, also known as “Evaculanes”
- Mobilization of additional personnel to support the road conditions hotline
- Review of resource requisitions, including fuel, water, ice, portable toilets, wreckers, and working with vendors to ensure resource availability
- Activation of more than 50 Courtesy Patrol vehicles along evacuation routes
- Temporarily halting highway construction projects in southern coastal areas and along potential hurricane evacuation routes to maximize lane capacity
- Review of Evaculane and Contraflow plans
- Clearing of debris from bridges and culverts that may have accumulated during Tropical Storm Erin to allow for proper drainage in the event of heavy rainfall
One of TxDOT’s goals is to ensure the safety of Texans on the state’s roadways, especially in the event of a large-scale emergency. This is one of the many reasons TxDOT is looking to expand capacity and improve mobility through new construction projects.
TxDOT is aware that the height of hurricane season is just beginning, and as it monitors weather developments affecting Texas, the agency also encourages Texans to learn more about hurricane preparedness.
