Judge Emmett announced that the following zip codes in Harris County are under a mandatory evacuation, beginning at noon today: 77058, 77059, 77062, 77520, 77546, 77571, 77586, 77507 and 77598
Harris County will begin evacuating citizens with special needs that registered with 2-1-1 as soon as possible. Those not registered should call 3-1-1 immediately if they need help evacuating.
The routes identified for emergency evacuation by the state are Interstate 10 West to San Antonio, Interstate 45 North to Dallas, Interstate 59 North to Nacogdoches and Highway 290 West to Austin or Waco. The Texas Department of Public Safety will stage contraflow in coordination with local plans when needed. Refueling stations will be placed along the routes.
In order to minimize traffic of highways, emergency officials recommend that major employees allow non-essential personnel to not report to work on Friday. However, service providers such as grocery stores, restaurants and service stations are encouraged to remain open to serve the public.
Mayor Bill White declared that son non-emergency city services will be suspended on Friday, requiring only the presence of designated essential personnel. The public should be assured that police, fire, public works, and solid waste personnel who are the majority of city employees will be on duty, helping to keep the city safe and leading in the recovery.
City of Houston employees are directed to report to their duty stations at their homes or otherwise designated temporary work stations during the period of inclement weather.
No decision has been made yet on contra-flow. And there are no shelters being run by the city.
