Emergency officials are reminding residents with special health care or transportation needs to register with the state's transportation registry if you will need help evacuating in the event of a hurricane.
Dial 211 as soon as possible:
Local emergency managers will make every attempt to evacuate someone who does not have the ability to evacuate themselves, as long as the person is in a surge zone. In the event of a hurricane entering the Gulf, individuals should pay close attention to local media to determine when and how evacuations will take place.
If someone needs specialized transportation and has not been contacted, 211 Texas Information and Referral Specialists will have referrals for those callers at the appropriate time.
Another reason for the registration process is to give local emergency planners a better idea of the numbers of individuals who may need assistance, and the type of assistance they may need. It is essential that all individuals have a personal plan concerning evacuation needs that includes family, friends, or neighbors who may be able to assist them.
It is critical that you begin now to make your evacuation plans, prepare an emergency kit and learn the evacuation routes. This should be done well in advance.
Operators answering the phones at 211 and 877-541-7905 for the hearing impaired are prepared to help you register now, before a hurricane strikes.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Alex is expected to become a hurricane Tuesday. It's center is on a track from Yucatan headed for the Texas-Mexico border.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.