ESCAPING THE ESCAPE
Posted: Friday, September 23 at 12:44 am CT by Bob Sullivan
HOUSTON – It looks a bit like a poorly maintained roadside picnic area, or a lightly-attended football tailgate party. There are even people sitting with their dogs on pickup tailgates, drinking beer.
But the drivers who lined up Thursday afternoon, just off an exit on Texas Route 59, haven’t parked there looking for a party. They were escaping the escape. That's where we meet Vickey and Donnie Ward, and their three dogs.
Donnie and Vickey Ward of Smith Point, Texas, take a break by the side of Highway 59 in Houston with their 3 dogs. The Wards left their home at 10am and had been driving in gridlocked traffic all day. They're headed to east Texas to ride the storm out with family. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
The Wards had left their homes near Galveston Thursday morning, on orders to evacuate. But the family couldn’t escape the crunch of cars in front of them, which slowed their progress to a crawl.
"We've been on the road for six hours and only made it about 30 miles," Donnie Ward said.
The Wards were running their aging pickup without air conditioning to prevent overheating, which meant their panting dogs were quickly slurping through the precious water supply. They were also wasting gas while idling on the freeway – critical, because every gas station for miles had shut down.
Finally, when the oldest dog threw up all over Donnie's lap, he’d had enough. They pulled over to join the tailgate "party," claiming a small patch of roadside shade. Instead of riding out the hurricane at home, here they are, riding out the traffic jam on the side of the road, hoping by nightfall they can get started again.
The story is repeated up and down the line of cars that had pulled over. A man and his pregnant wife, escaping the heat; a family in a car with the hood up, cooling the engine after it overheated; another family pouring water into their gas tank in the hopes of squeezing another couple of miles out of the gasoline left in the tank (a very bad idea, but understandable under the circumstances).
The roadside gathering is taking place right next to an abandoned gas station that long since had stopped selling the stuff. A cashier at a nearby station, still selling water and snacks, said his pumps had run dry on Wednesday. There wasn't a drop to be had anywhere. Miles and miles of gas stations with plastic bags over their handles, operations shut down. Before anything has even happened here, Houston is a city without gas, a remarkable sight. We have to plan our movements carefully to make sure we have some way to get around after the storm hits.
"It's a great irony, for Houston to run out of gas," said our new friend J. Tom Graham, chief operating officer at Houston Community Newspapers. J. Tom has been gracious enough to take us in and let us use his newsroom north of Houston to file stories.
The gas dryout is more than irony. Houston's evacuation plan was simply for most people to drive their way to safety, to higher ground. The same for Galveston and other nearby areas in Rita’s path. But the plan effectively strangles area roads, overtaxes gasoline supplies and turns the evacuation into a snail’s race. Drivers say they are afraid they’ll run out of gas, and no one will come help them. Others wonder what they’ll do if their car breaks down.
"We saw all kinds of people just sitting in the median, car overheated," Donnie Ward says. “What are they supposed to do?”
To see the extent of the trouble, we leave the roadside gathering, and head straight into Houston, where we plan to ride out the storm. The drive is eerie – the northbound lanes, the escape route, are full of cars. The southbound lanes, into the city, are completely empty.
But after a while, there is one encouraging sign. As we pass Sam Houston Parkway, a few miles north of the city center, the seemingly endless line of northbound cars suddenly ends. From this point on, the highway and the city streets are completely clear. That was the last of the leavers, apparently. Those waiting out the traffic on the side of the road have hope for escape, it would seem.
Still, others had already given hope up after hours of trying. Later, Graham tells us his operations manager spent four hours on the road earlier Wednesday, only to give up and turn around and go back into Houston. He and his wife got home in a brisk 15 minutes and planned to ride out the storm there.
While it might seem from the highways that everyone is trying to leave, only part of Houston is under mandatory evacuation orders. And at dinner we talked to a few people who decided to stay. We ate with Graham, another local newspaper publisher named Kathleen Ballanfant, and their friends. All had decided to pass on the trek out of town, and over pork chops they debate the merits of staying vs. leaving. With the latest reports indicating Houston might be spared the worst of it, dinner party members feel confident in their choice.
Much of Houston is slightly above sea level, they argue, meaning it would never face a New Orleans-Katrina-style disaster.
"If I leave, who would put out my newspaper?" Ballanfant says.
Meanwhile, after spending a day watching news reports about fruitless efforts to leave Houston, others at the table openly wonder, "Is it even possible to evacuate a large city?"
Katrina answered that question in a horrible way; Houston's experience today has to make city planners wonder if they really have an answer. And anyone who lives in one of America's great cities and watched the news must be thinking tonight – how will we get out of our city should something terrible happen?
Or at least, they must be wondering, “How much gasoline is in the car?”
A GIANT GHOST TOWN
TRACKBACKS
Dear President Bush,
A few years ago you refused to endorse the Kyoto agreement whereby nations of the world would co-operate in reducing carbon emissions to help counteract global warming. One of your major reasons, as I recall, was that the Kyoto requirements were too stringent for the United States - they would damage the American economy.
Now we have been ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina, and Rita is closing in. These huge hurricanes derive their massive power from oceans that are getting warmer and warmer and too many earth scientists are saying there IS a connection with global warming.
Already we have no idea how you will pay for the recovery from Katrina when your miscalculations from your war in Iraq are already plunging the nation into unprecedented deficit.
This is the thing: signing on to Kyoto would hurt the economy? Well the impact of global warming will hurt it even more! If the left fist don't get you then the right one will.
Your decisions, Mr. President, are the most damaging to the American economy.
Of course, "strong leadership" means there is no way you will ever change your mind. (Sigh!)
Michael Buss
Michael Buss, Santa Ana, CA (Sent Sep 23, 2005 12:51:15 AM)
Perhaps in a situation like this, on SOME highways, all lanes should be used for north bound (outward bound) traffic... leaving one or two highways with open southbound lanes for emergency vehicles, etc. Would this help? Sounds like a good plan if ALL entrances southbound are blocked to prevent unknowing motorists from entering (such as I could be since I cannot hear the radio...) Eight or sixteen lanes going out may help? I wonder. I wonder what would happen if this was NYC with 18 million people, rather than Texas with 3-4 total million in the hurricane area. I enjoy your blogs, keep up the good work, but most of all, keep safe. No news is better than bad news. L. Ball
Linda Ball (Sent Sep 23, 2005 1:01:46 AM)
AS A RESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA KEYS HURRICANES ARE VERY COMMON HERE. HAVING SAID THAT IT DOES NOT MAKE IT ANY EASIER TO GO THRU ONE NOR EVACUATE FROM ONE. THIS YEAR ALONE I HAVE GONE THRU 3. DENNIS, KATRINA AND LASTLY RITA. WE HERE IN THE KEYS HAVE BEEN SPARED THE DEVASTATION THAT HAS HAPPENED AND APPEARS TO BE "GOING" TO HAPPEN AGAIN TO OTHER REGIONS IN THE US. I URGE PEOPLE TO EVACUATE KNOWING FULL WELL THAT IT IS DIFFICULT AT BEST TO LEAVE ALL YOUR POSSESIONS, BUT THAT'S JUST IT THEY ARE POSSESIONS AND NOTHING CAN REPLACE LOSS OF LIFE. I AM A NURSE AND AFTER THE DEVASTATION OF KATRINA TO NEW ORLEANS I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE "POWERS THAT BE" TO VOLUNTEER MY SERVICES AS I AM A SINGLE MOM AND MONEY IS TIGHT BUT FELT THE NEED TO GIVE, TO HELP. UNFORTUNATELY I WAS TURNED AWAY AND TOLD TO SEND MONEY INSTEAD. HOW SAD...AS I HAD JUST HEARD THE VOICE OF ONE PARTICULAR NURSE BEGGING FOR HELP...SHE WAS STRANDED IN A HOSPITAL. I ONLY HOPE THAT OUR NEW FEMA DIRECTOR HAS MADE CHANGES SO THAT SITUATIONS DONT OCCUR AGAIN. I PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU.
MICHELLE
TAVERNIER KEY
MICHELLE BOCK, TAVERNIER, FL (Sent Sep 23, 2005 1:43:58 AM)
In reply to your dinner party question."Can a large city be evacuated"? I think that this will be the after season focus for every city from the Texas/Mexico border to the Virginia's. With the continous evolution of better forecasting for these storms I think that the best way to smooth the traffic nightmares would be a layered evacuation. What I mean is that, say the storm is due to arrive on Friday. On Monday you would start with the coastal areas first. Using the projected landfall point at that time, you would move all those that are 200 miles on each side of the projected landfall point. You would open all roads to one way traffic only to expedite the mass exit from the coastal cities/towns. On Tuesday, you re-evaluate based on the storms track and intensity as to what section of your particular state would be next to move out of harms way, and so on as the week progresses.
Robert A Bair, Sarasota Fl (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:13:03 AM)
Why is the evacuation taking so long?
Well most of the time during situations like this we can get help from our Armed Forces.
thanks to mr. bush they are all over in another country fighting a "war" that we should not be involved with.
just think of all the military families with loved ones overseas and dealing with these storms. lets keep everyone in these areas in our thoughts.
royal leidig, sturgeon bay, wis. (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:36:58 AM)
So glad to see people, their families and their pets. This picture looks like "We will have our party, rain or shine," as the wind blows the impending weather their way. Hopefully the storm will weaken and they will be safe from serious floodwaters.
Can't they open up both sides of the freeway to traffic, and leave one lane heading towards town for emergency, security and the like?
Terrible for those stuck in their cars not knowing if they are going to be able to go any further, not knowing what lies ahead yet unable to simply turn around and go back. Again, both sides of the freeway should be open for such, leaving one lane for emergency vehicles and police and other security-type vehicles and personnel. Again, we are hoping that people looked after their neighbors and for those with means of transportation and hotel if necessary helped those that could not drive or simply had no money for hotel or did not own a car. We are hoping their pets are safe too, hopefully evacuated with their families.
No gas for miles, now this makes us never want to go below a half a tank. Makes us wish we had a battery powered vehicle that had no need for gas. Yes then again, battery would run low and no chargers available due to power outages. As for what this story, adn the entire situation with New Orleans and other areas where people were really stuck, makes us think about what would we do if we were in that situation. How could we be prepared better? My family has already prepared our emergency kit for each of our vehicles and in our home. Each kit consists of large first-aid kit which also has night sticks, bandages of every size and shape, all sorts of medical/type aid items, antiseptic, cold packs/heat packs, 2 gallons of water, spare clothes, personal care items, flashlights (two per kit) LOTS of spare batteries, a radio, vitamins, some ready-to-eat meals, health shakes and protein bars, toys and pens/pencils for kids to give them something to do, and non-latex and canvas gloves, plastic sheeting, etc...enough stuff to keep us good for a few days at least. Actually, I just upgraded our emergency kits, as my grandmother years ago told me to always keep "ER" supplies in my car, even a spare towel and blanket. So what we do is check the dates on food items and such and change those out as needed. Hopefully we will not have to wait more than 3-4 days for rescue to come. May seem extreme but in California being a major earthquake zone, and seeing what these survivors have had to endure for so long without any food, water or even rescue we want to be prepared. Though in major earthquake the roads would likely be pretty undrivable, but at least we would have a car to sleep in if necesary.
Yes, this catastrophe has instilled in my family the need for an emergency plan and this includes our neighbors, to check on them especially the elderly and those unable to drive for various reasons, or those without a car. Our apartment managers here at our complex engages in regular emergency response training, and many of the residents here have some type of training as well. We SHOULD ALL be doing an evacuation plan training here, but unfortunately they have not done so yet for the residents. We all get together, I say all there are over 400 units here, but we all do know pretty much everyone and for those elderly, children, medically/mentally/physically challenged everyone here knows them and so we will all look after each other and help each other out. We pray that communities have checked on their neighbors once again. Treat our neighbors as an extended family is the phylosophy here. We all live here, with our differences yet all getting along wonderfully, so hopefully this real neighborly/extended family spirit will prove strong if an emergency should occur here.
We pray for the best for the survivors and hope that this next storm does not separate people by the finder pointing of blame, but draws them closer together in a healpful and truly meaningful way. God bless everyone and Bob, thank you for this photograph, we are hoping that this family and their three dogs come through this alright, as well as any others stuck out there. Both you and Andrew be safe. And to everyone, Assalamu Alaykum (Peace be upon you)
The Harlow's, San Diego, California (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:44:02 AM)
I just find it hard to believe that with the technical knowledge we have available to us in this day and time that someone has not come up with a solution for these major storms.How about a low temp. refrigeration device to turn the ocean into ice.That would have to slow or even stop a storm.I realize it would take a pretty big chunk of change,but just look at the lives that could possibly be saved,not to mention the billions of taxpayer dollars that could also be saved.Something to think about.
Steve Clark ,Lubbock,Texas (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:49:10 AM)
After going through last years three hurricanes and having to pack up each time.We learned things are just things, so this year we have food,water and the necessitys in an area of the garage all set to go,the few things we want to save are all in one area of the house so when the call is given we pack and go. The problem this year is gas and crowded roads and now the question where to we go? Since all the devastation from previous storms our basic choice is 95n. I feel when you're on an evacuation route the traffic in the opposite direction shoul be halted or made to one lane only, to allow a greater flow out of the areas. On ramps going south could be shut down or traffic limited to one lane. It's hard to leave a job at the first call but when you live in a mandatory evacuation area you really need to get out. Yes we've had what people call just scares,but better safe than sorry. Be neighborly and help others. I also feel that if your pets are properly crated the shoul be allowed into shelters,if this was done maybe more people would leave,after all pets are sometimes all the family a person has. It's also been proven that pets are theraputic therefore during and after the storm it would be possible to calm some of the people especially the children. Please,please if you live in an area that is called for an evacuation leave, leave early enough so you don't get bogged down in traffic.Plan ahead at the beginning of the season know where you're going etc. Hopefully the powers that be will come up with a solution,rember we voted them in call, write,demand something be done.Stop government spending on some of the crazy projects and put the money into safer and more shelters. Let them know what we elected them and we don't necessesarly agree with what they want.
Kathy DeLong (Sent Sep 23, 2005 5:35:00 AM)
Human suffering wherever it may be should be addressed first irrespective of any other important work especially when disaster strikes (any kind . Generally politician fails to rise to the occasion without any benefit to him or to the party he belongs.
Santhanam Dandapani, Kolkata,West Bengal, India (Sent Sep 23, 2005 5:36:14 AM)
As I watch these enormous traffic jams on the Texas highways, I think 'Aren't there other roads.' Before I would burn all my gas sitting on an interstate, I would get off the highway and head north on whatever road I could find.
Fred Willard, New York, N.Y. (Sent Sep 23, 2005 6:34:18 AM)
Dear President Bush:
I have been in agreement with your decision to go to war in Iraq. I have friends and family that have been there, or are there now. I am proud of the reason they are there. But the catastrophies that are taking place here in the USA due to Katrina, and Rita are a huge concern. Everyone wants to know how to pay for the billions and billions of dollars that it will cost to repair and replace these areas of devestation. Here is a suggestion...I think that a pay cut of 10 to 20 percent for the people in legislation and the white house staff would cover a huge chunk of the costs. The federal Minimum wage is still $5.15 per hour. In the Midwest, where I live, McDonald's is starting employees out at $7.00 per hour because no one can afford to work for less. The job I have is considered "good-paying" in this area at $10.00 per hour, but I'm still considered to be in the poverty level, and we still give what we can to help the people in the south. What part of your paycheck are you willing to spare?
Nikki Olson (Sent Sep 23, 2005 6:53:48 AM)
I have never seen anything like this in my life time. And why our government has let our own people suffer, I don't understand. The people in Texas stuck on those highways the President should be ashamed. I hope that everybody sees that we help everyone else instead of our own and when is enough is enough. I hope the next election will bring us some one who will care for the poor, the sick, the children, the old and the animals. Because right now I see nothing going right.
Mary E. Ocholik (Sent Sep 23, 2005 7:16:02 AM)
In response to asking why not open all lanes for north bound (outward bound) traffic, in some areas this did happen. There are a lot of people trying to get out of the way of Rita at the same time. This time most Texans decided to move out earlier than what they had before with other hurricanes and it has caused one huge traffic jam.
A layered evacuation was also followed. According to the mayor of Galveston they started evacuating people as early as Monday. Most of the gulf coast towns were under voluntary evacuation by Monday night and then mandatory followed after that.
People are getting out of the way and it looks like Rita will not hit the Texas coast as expected but at least most Texans decided to be safe rather than ride it out.
Courtney Austin, TX (Sent Sep 23, 2005 7:19:19 AM)
Houston, We have a problem......too. Texas polaticians.
Beware about bragging you have a better mouse trap. Your favored son is in deep *#*& for doing the same thing. I guess this traffic problem was UNFORSEEN? Where are all the ACTUALLY intelligent politicians these days? NOT FROM OR IN TEXAS!!!!
joan chalikis (Sent Sep 23, 2005 7:22:36 AM)
How are other cities throughout Texas where evacuees are fleeing dealing with the crowd of people entering their cities and towns? Also, what about other neighboring states where people may have evacueed to, how are they doing with the crowd of people entering their states? All the news has been locally because of course everyone is focused on Hurricane Rita, but what about the traffic and care of people elsewhere? Can't you bring the news from your sister staions regarding the situation in other areas?
Erica Trotman, Houston, Texas (Sent Sep 23, 2005 8:17:24 AM)
First, I would like to say, may Power(s) greater than us be on our side.
These comments today are outstanding; from the first one from Michael to Robert. I live in Pensacola Florida and i believe we had reverse laning during Ivan I would venture to say this would also work here. I also like the idea of evac in stages that has been a thought of mine ever since Ivan(I stayed and it was not a the smartest thing had a 300 year old oak land on my house). Be strong out there I will send good thoughts to all during this time of anguish and stress.
I believe it is time to look at ourselves and put aside our infant ways of a fairly new country (as compared to others) remember we are all human first. If we keep that focus then i believe we will find the answers we need.
Diana, Pensacola Florida (Sent Sep 23, 2005 8:30:34 AM)
What happened to Homeland Security and all the money spent on it? What if this was a terrorist attack-we'd all be sitting ducks! I cannot imagine how people in NYC and Boston could get out in time. NYC has the bridges and tunnels to deal with and Boston's "Big Dig" would probably collapse on people trying to get out that way. Boston has the Mass Pike-ever tried to get on it at rush hour? Rt. 2 heading west is only two lanes on either side. New England is past due for an earthquake-there is a fault line (for people who do not know) that runs from Boston to New Hampshire. Do I feel safer today than I did 7 years ago? Absolutely not! My confidence in government to protect us has been wiped out. We're on our own.
Noreen Sullivan Winchendon MA (Sent Sep 23, 2005 8:36:44 AM)
The Nation is made up of people who wish to take action. Not just send money. Pres. Bush Said we need to volunteer. Does it make sense that volunteers would be told not to try to help with their time, but just send money. It appears that the feds have lots of water and food but no one but the military to help on the ground. We as professionals in whatever field we chose to help people in have those skills. There should be a system to verify them or at least a bank where they have people logged in to callon. This is an unusual situation for in modern times we have not exprienced such disasters of this magnitude.
It is obvious that the people in charge are thinking small-scale when the thought should go to large scale.
I think we need to get with. We need to quit burying our heads in the sand and set up asystem to handle disasters. We practice them on the sand tables and then do not put the training into effect when it happens.
Use the people who volunteer.
Aimee Strachan, Jacksonville, NC (Sent Sep 23, 2005 8:45:24 AM)
The problem with the layered evacuation is that some of the people in all of the areas won't be able to or won't want to leave their homes even a day before the storm hits, let alone two, three, or four days. That means they will all be trying to leave on same day. It makes sense on paper, but reality is the storm will probably change paths, so waiting is the norm. The problem seems to be that people like to live on the coast, but it should be their risk and insurance, not tax dollars that rebuild those homes year after year. When WV flooded a few years ago rebuilding in flood zones was not allowed, people and towns were forced to relocate. It should not be allowed anywhere else either.
Sandra Curry, Athens, WV (Sent Sep 23, 2005 8:55:09 AM)
http://www.goblinweather.com/index.php?config=&forecast=tropsystems&alt=tropallsystems
I've provided a useful link for tracking hurricane rita.
Please everybody, be careful, be safe, and God speed.
Thanks,
Blake
Blake Billings, Memphis, TN (Sent Sep 23, 2005 9:00:42 AM)
Dear President Bush and FEMA and especially mayors and governors and state officials:
Maybe on the evacuation route some prior planning could have gas trucks waiting to fill up these gas stations that are running our gas in order to get all of these people our of harms way. Perhaps a few tow trucks and ambulances on these evacuation highways on the side going into the city would help with the vehicles that are breaking down and any emergencies that occur during the evacuation. And maybe more food, ice and water along the route could be brought in on the southbound side since it seems to take many, many hours for this type of evacuation. A few porto potties probably wouldn;t hurt. These people are trying their best to do what they have been told is the safe thing to do, but a little help along the way seems like it would make it a smoother and safer transition with less casualties. Better to help them before it gets to the stage of New Orleans when all you can do is count the dead. I know in our town we have a list of all of the people who are not mobile and would have to have help if a catastrophe hit. Seems like it would cost a lot less to do the prior work than do the clean up work after the fact.
Claire Polsey, Littleton, MA (Sent Sep 23, 2005 9:18:43 AM)
Since 25% of the US oil and gas comes from the Texas, Louisiana coast, and they have shut down 28 of 32 refineries, (which take 4 days to restart, if there is no damage), and Bush opened up our emergency reserve supply for Katrina, (where only 5%of our supply was affected) what is he going to do now? America needs a leader, unfortunately all we have is Bush. I think the people who voted for Bush ought to be charged a "Stupidity Tax" to pay for repairing what’s left of America after Bush and his cronies have raped it.
terry jozsa, phoenix,az (Sent Sep 23, 2005 9:19:54 AM)
What ever happen to the plans of the 1950s of the C.D.on evacuation of our major cities if a bomber attact was about to happen. All road out of cities were to lead out except 1 or 2 lanes or one or 2 roads going back into the city was open to US Army. But then we humans have very short memories. This was the reason we build all the first limited access highways that later became our Interstate's. I could not believe my eyes when Nem Orlens was being evacuted and all the inbound lanes were empty. Dum, Dum FEMA or was there plan to prove they need more money?
Paul Kamoda, Springfield, MO. (Sent Sep 23, 2005 9:24:34 AM)
Once again wednesday's news shows how the FED Gov't. runs away from a bad situation. 100 TSA workers fail to show for work...why? The governor of Texas tells people to evacuate, no gas for cars...why? Wouldn't it make sense to drop tankers off at stations to replenish empty tanks? 1 way traffic for 1.8 million people, hello is anybody home?
I love the headline G.W. plans on another photo op, if he was really caring and a man he would ride the storm out in Dallas, front row seats. So what if he bites the bullet, that's why we have a V.P.
Baffled in Ft Myers
Dean, Fort Myers Fl (Sent Sep 23, 2005 9:28:26 AM)
It seems to me that if you know there are going to be hundreds or thousands of people fleeing a city, and since logic suggests most of them are going to use the highways, surface roads would be the way to go. They may not be as direct, and the speed limits may be lower, but you won't get into quite such a gridlock.
Christine Jeffords (Sent Sep 23, 2005 9:34:02 AM)
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