Welcome to Houston! At least your visit is nearly representative of a "normal" visit. 100 degree weather, 600% humidity, and maybe bad weather, maybe not. I'm just sorry all the Mexican restaurants are closed - you haven't had real Mexican until you've had Tex Mex!

i have a cousin in there named tina! she has two kids a little girl and a little boy! they have no food. they might run out of gas. and my family and i are scared so the government HAS to do something!thank you!

Texas needs to get busy ASAP sending buses, (including school buses), from Austin, Dallas, and other communities in the safety area to parking areas near the highways and have the people park their vehicles and bus them out. It would be easier to have the parking area's policed until the disaster is over with and bus the people back to their cars than have all those people in the situation they are in. This should have been in effect with an evacuation plan from the beginning.

Hey guy's....hope ya'll both endure a safe riding out of Rita!!! I've been reading (and hearing)about the long line's at the gas pump's,on the highway's and at the airport's. So as I hear about ya'lls (Tx. you all) writing's now....it only blossom's my opinion more. That most people fail to show some common sense or lack to understand the "Cause and Effect" of a major event such as an evacuation of any city....as in this case. We as the working class tend to need certain item's fast or quickly; and we're alway's in a hurry. Faster Dial-up; faster drive-up's at resturant's; quicker response time's for all service's (emergency & non-emergency)....alway's rushing other people who take-up "MY" time from getting somewhere. Well now......these same people need to learn how to have patience and learn to plan better....way in advance. Surly these people (stuck in the traffic) must know how many folk's live in their town's. Heck....there's population sign's posted right on the outskirt's of city limit's sometime's!!!! Now they're wondering where did all these other people come from??? Why is there long line's at the airport??? Why are'nt there more screener's to accommidate "ME"???? Why did I miss "MY" connecting flight??? The gas pump's are out of fuel for "MY" vehicle!!!! WHY?WHY?WHY? Because most people don't realize what's going on around them....these same folk's forget to relax; or go with the flow; and die of some sort of heart condition. I'm not a Doctor or a specialist in the medical field.....but I do know this. People who have been dis-placed by one hurricane (already) or have arrived in my city due to another one's projected landfall are living human being's playing it safe....waiting for the storm to past....so that they can make their un-knowingly journey back soon. I've gone to the local supermarket and seen some of my favorite item's sold-out or out of stock. I'm seeing longer line's at fueling station's as well at some of the resturant's near my home. I just sit,wait and relax until it's my turn because I know we're all in this together. And good Christian's need to realize the same...

I live a long way from all of this but, I think that in light of Katrina and other past disasters we need to think levelheadedly. I have read all the blogs and I hear nice things said and I hear a lot of PANIC. I also have read one or two about leaving the weak behind. I just want everyone to know that I think God will take a hand in a lot of this death and life, survival and defeat. I also feel this is a true test of our humanness and how we put the human spirit to work for ourselves and others. My thoughts and prayers are all out there for the survivors of Katrina and for those wherever they are bracing for Rita.

Rita is going to hit New Orleans with 5 category, I hope is empty, New Orleans have big damage, I think, is better, if we need choose, because hit in other places is more people for worry and more houses more roads, example, when you have a car crash, if you crash the same car before to arrange , we worry not too much, but if is new car you are very angry, the choice, trash or make new.
Sorry if I think wrong, Is in my mind for 2 days. Personal opinion.
My wish I hope nothing happen,but..., God Bless.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those stuck in this mess. With any luck all will turn out well. Just have faith. I have friends who lost everything in Katrina. I don't want to see anything bad happen to anyone else because they couldn't leave. My prayers are with all those leaving. It's not much, but it's what I can offer.

While I am in Alabama & Georgia on business, my friends who are petsitting my Great Dane left Clearlake/Seabrook (NASA area SE Houston)on wednesday afternoon. It took them 3.5 hours to get to Reliant stadium (about 30 miles). Luckily for them they have family in that area & will be riding out the storm there. Just an FYI the traffic jams started on wednesday a.m. People in Houston did take this seriously very early on in the week. I have been watching MSNBC for 2 days now & have not seen 1 archived picture of the floods that Alicia caused just 4 years ago. I think those relatively fresh memories are a major motivator in the Houstonian evacuation.

Just a note saying your all in my prayers, and hope that everyone makes it out of the path of the storm safe.

I agree with the above mention of taking side roads off somewhere--go North-Westerly if you must--but get as far inland as you can---Prayers are being said constantly for you all---those of you that are lucky enough to have gas in your vehicle and rations to spare; please think of your fellow people and be empathetic and help one another out! Abandoned cars should be moved out of the moving paths--etc. Godspeed to all but still praying that Rita unravels.

I'm from New York City,things here are pretty good normal as usual. But my prayers are with all the people down in Texas who are stuck and cant leave the state. Lately so many hurricanes are hitting the U.S. and were not the only ones, dealing with mother nature with the tsunami and landfalling in california and major storms in China makes me think theres something going on with the WORLD.

God help all the people in the hurricanes path and my immediate and extended family who where not able to leave Houston. As much as everyone is worrying about the hurricane. I hope more people start realizing why all of this is happening. If we didn't realy so heavily on oil, and other chemicals that deplete our atmosphere, the storms might not pack in the strenghth and force that the last few have. Let this be a lesson to all residents of this earth. We are a infection that is killing this earth, and this is the it's way of fighting the infection.

I know now they have opened all lanes of I-45, but they are a little late in doing that. They should have known it earlier that if they are asking people to evacuate, they should atleast have provided relatively better. At this time, there are so many cars on the road. I just saw the picture, and I can imagine that It's not easy to be traffic jams for 14 hours or more.. You run out of gas, money, food and all sort of things.. Even though It's not easy to evacuate so many people, I wish they had a little bit better planning. Just asking people to evacuate, does not complete evacuation.

Let's hope and pray that Rita spare Houston and hopefully it would be minimal damage.

I am very sorry for all who are trapped in the hurricanes path, and for those who just escaped Katrina and now have to dodge Rita. You have been through the unbelievable and the unthinkable. We go to bed watching the news, and wake up to find that it is just getting worse. One aweful tragedy after another. I am a young single mother and I can't imagine having to go through all that you have. My hopes and prayers are with you all. From the entire state of Missouri, you have our support and we hope you make it out ok.

I hope and pray that god will do the best he can to save as many lives as he possible can.

Please there are backroads to be taken from I-45-just take an exit @ the woodlands (northern area in Houston) head west. Take Hwy 1960 off of I-45, it too has back roads that head west; I-45 has exits that will lead you to some backroads that head west; even from the eastern part-get on San Jancinto hwy and just head west(these are roads that are less traveled but will get you away from the havoc of traffic and further away from the storm- just look at a road map atlas, its very detailed-I did it when traveling from NC to TX during the Katrina evacuation, all I used were the backroads, guiding me and my two children was the road atlas that I bought @ a convienent store after getting on the road . It was very detailed and the roads were less traveled. My thoughts and prayers are with all who are stuck in traffic...God Bless!

My mother in law, 4 brother in laws, and 3 sister in laws are all stuck in Houston. I love them all and feel untold emotional pain at the wrath they may have to experience. In saying all of that I still don't believe we can blaim the govt. or Texas officials for the poorly administrated evacuation. I live in Dallas and will welcome anyone into my home that is displaced what I think is more tragic then Houstonians poor planning for evacuation is the bus full of elderly that did reach out for help that did plan in enough time to evacuate and were dealt an untimely horrible death. God help all of the Houstonians still stuck in there cars. I hope that people are showing some compasion and allowing those stranded into there home for safety. God Bless all!!

Here I sit in Virginia helpless while my entire family is facing Rita. I was born in Beaumont and my 85 year old grandparents still live there. Luckily my parents live in north Fort Worth. My dad left around 2am yesterday morning for the 6 hour drive to Beaumont. He packed up my grandparents and the dog and started back home. They made it about 25 miles in the first 6 hours of their trip. I spent all day on msnbc.com, weather.com and mapquest.com trying to find them a faster way out. Thank God for cell phones and the internet we were able to keep in touch. They did end up taking small country roads and finally made it home early this morning. Although my dad said is was almost like a war zone on the roads. People were drinving crazy and loosing patience. My aunt unfortunately is still in Houston. She decided to stay since there is really no way out for her. All I can do is keep my fingers crossed that everyone will be OK and something will be left when this is all over. My advice for the people stuck on the highways is to get off on the back roads and wind your way north. Good Luck to all!

As we watch the evacuation of Houston unfold it becomes more evident that our nation's transportation system just isn't working. Where does the growth of the Automobile and Interstate system end? 20 lane interstates? How about the Airline industry, half of the airlines are in bankruptcy with taxpayer money to bail them out. Neither of these networks will or should go away, but they need to be supplemented by another mode. High Speed Rail would appear to be a positive addition to our transportation system. Not Amtrack, this system is outdated and not a solution. Seeing 1 lane of I45 between Houston and Dallas supporting a train capabable of transporting large numbers of people at 100+ mph would cover the distance in probably less time than an airplane. When traffic load increases, add more passenger cars. Maybe we need the Herb's of Southwest Airlines to look into trains as well.

to lisa from montana,
if he(they) DIDN'T do what is being done in the way of busses and military, the news media would be all over it as poor planning and incompetent leadership. at least he(they) were smart enough to learn from katrina.

I have friends in Houston that I have not been able to contact. After hearing that Rita changed course I am elated for all Houstonians. Saddened for those who live in the new path of Rita. All of us are supject to the diasters of nature no matter where we live. Some of us have earthquakes, floods, droughts, tornadoes, mudslides, forest fires, blizzards and hurricanes. The only difference is the urgency created by the damage that the diaster can cause. I believe we should all be accountable for our own personal safety for the first few days. We should be willing to take steps (as much as possible) to ensure the safety of our own families. (how many people have emergency plans set up for our families?) I also believe the local, state, and federal governments that we pay our taxes to should respond swiftly and appropriately to help all of its citizens in need after a natural disaster regardless of race or class. Are they going to rebuild New Orleans? Yes. Just like they keep rebuilding parts of CA, FL, and flood regions along the Mississippi River. The home owners and business insurance of those in these areas should reflect the risk of their location. Ultimately we should all be willing to help our fellow man who has suffered a catastrophe. This is no less than living by the golden rule of treating others the same way we would like to be treated. Being compassionate, sympathatic, and empathatic enough to be spurred to action is what makes us human beings different from animals. I thank God that I live in America and have enough "extra" to be able to give to those in need of my assistance. God Bless all, stay safe.

Prayer works. Let's all pray for the safety of those in the path of this storm. May God, who knows all things, guide them to safety and weather the storm.

Let's not turn this into another blog about Cheney and Bush. Notice how after the Ill effects of Katrina swept over the city of New Orleans, Texas is actually doing what La should have done... Get out early and get out fast.

Why do authorities take action when its too late, all those people are stuck on a fwy, they should open the other side so these people can move, before Rita hits. All avarage people understand the situation and have valid solution but the people that are in charge ??? if traffic continues the way if is now, many people will die in their cars, then news will talk about this tragic for the next for weeks or so, but it would not matter anymore, empty talk wont bring those people back. The time to take action is NOW !!!

Reading all the prior blogs, I am having a very hard time understanding our governments use of the words "evacuation plan". Does not a plan have some semblance of at least a good idea executed in a orderly fashion? Why are the only ones who realize it would be logical to open ALL highways in one direction are either living out of state or sitting on the side of the road out of gas, lacking a place to purchase gas anywhere, nor water or essentials with a car that cannot withstand running in place on roads that resemble parking lots?! Come on now, what does it take to get the people of authority that can make these decisions, actually think ahead and DO IT! For heavens sake, get these people out of there! NOW! Oh, that's right....that would be a plan though, would it not...?
Forgive me for my sarcasm, but as a native Texan now in Utah, my heart aches at the thought of the destruction Rita will bring, as it aches for all the people of Louisiana and Mississippi. I was raised on stories told by my mother of how Biloxi waters were so crystal clear, she would simply cast a a net down and watch the crabs crawl onto it while fishing as a teenager back in the 1940's, and I still miss Twelfth Night celebrations, a Louisiana custom for sure, but one celebrated by my family in Texas. I wonder at what will become of Galveston Island, but realize nothing can take way memories I have, especially the look of comical horror and dismay on my daughters face when after wading out a ways in the surf, me 5 months pregnant with her sister, her little 8 yr old sized hand clutching mine we slowly made our way back to shore, coming up apon the pier my mother and cousin were fishing off of at the exact moment my cousin was reeling in a 4 foot shark he had just caught. At age 20 now, she still speaks of that day in Galveston, and I am thankful she has a memory of her home state she can tell as she raises my granddaughter in Idaho. Lessons learned in the most painful way are ones best remembered I've been told, but I begin to have doubts. Camille, Ivan, Katrina, tropical storm Allison, even the heat wave of 1980 would surely have been painful enough, but we did not learn. And something as precious as human life is obviously not a high enough cost for a PLAN to avoid the repercussions of what we know, and have known has happened, is happening, and will again tomorrow. God bless, my prayers are with all the people of the gulf coast, and for our chosen leaders to pull their heads out of wherever and THINK. God help us all.......