Tropical Storm Gustav is looking pretty intense again this AM, and will likely regain hurricane strength today... & despite the fact that it is still to far out to make any real accurate assumptions as to where he will make landfall states are rapidly ramping up from Miss to LA to Texas...this from "Wild on Weather" site regarding Gov Perry's actions:
Pre disaster declaration was approved by President Bush on Thursday for 61 TX counties.
State of TX is planning for the strike of a category 4 hurricane on the TX coast and has fully activated the state Hurricane Response Plan. Fuel plan was activated Thursday morning and there has been significant demand increase in the SE/upper TX coast area. Suppliers have all fuel terminals at full distubituion capacity and a flooding the entire retail system with as much fuel as possible. There have been a few supply issues in Harris County…but these have been corrected. Today and Saturday the fuel plan will continue to surge to local retail along the coast and begin to push supplies to the evacuation routes and contra-flow corridors.
DPS and TXDOT will begin preparation for mass evacuations of SE TX north of Port Lavaca. TXDOT will begin preparing evacuation routes…removing debris and cleaning the US 290 hurrevac traffic lane (outbound shoulder). Contra-flow exchange points on I-10, US 290, I-45, US 37, and US 59 NE will be prepared today and early Saturday. All construction on evacuation routes will be suspended today. State shelter hubs in Waco, Tyler, El Paso, Dallas, and San Antonio have been fully activated.
Alamo Regional Command was been fully activated to coordinate special needs and possible public evacuations. Air evacuation of special needs (critical care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes) in the Beaumont/Port Arthur area may begin on Saturday…to locations in El Paso and Dallas. H-120 timeline will likely be adjusted this morning due to forecast track changes overnight and slowing of the potential impact.
Preparations: Residents should fuel vehicles and maintain 75-100% fuel through the weekend. Make sure all hurricane supplies are on hand. Residents in the coastal surge/evacuation zones should review their plans and be fully prepared to leave if ordered to do so. Due to the upcoming holiday weekend many people will be away from their computers.
