Liberty's Blog

Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas has Seen the LIght

There were some lessons learned from New Orleans and the good people of Galveston said "Oh my God, That could be us!" There was no plan that I knew of to get folks off the island that can not drive. Since Katrina, though the city and county folks have tightned up a few loose ends in the evacuation plans. Wednesday the City plans on loading up the busses and getting people out of town to safety. It looks like Mayor Thomas isn't taking any chances, and is ready to take positive action:

"The City of Galveston has arranged for approximately 80 buses to help evacuate our citizens who depend upon public transportation," said Mayor Thomas.

The buses will leave from the community center in the 4700 block of Broadway and head to shelters in Huntsville.

Evacuees will be allowed to carry one suitcase and their pets on the buses, but the pets must be in carriers or crates. Pet owners should call 409-763-8477 if they need a cage or crate.

The mayor urges island residents on prescription medication or who are undergoing treatment to make advance preparations.

"I'm urging citizens to do the following: If you are on medication, please call your physician and ask for a 3-month supply...; you may also ask for your treatment plan if you're on chemotherapy, dialysis, any of those kinds of consistent treatments; please take your valuables, any deeds to your properties, any insurance information...," said Mayor Thomas.

The number to call for more information on the evacuation is 409-797-3710. Anyone who needs to ride a bus, should call that number to alert the city.

The latest tracking map has Freeport as the most likely spot for landfall around 7 a.m. Saturday.

Paul said Rita could become "a Category 3 or better, winds of 111 miles an hour or better" as it moves over the warm Gulf waters.

Now I don't know where they are planning putting all these people in Huntsville, but the town is best known for all its prisons. Folks are encouraged to take their pets with them.
Update: Changed the number in the quote. It looks like a typo from KHOU

posted by Liberty @ 4:57 PM