Evacuation

How to Know When to Evacuate

Local officials will issue mandatory evacuation orders based on zip codes. Please be prepared to leave immediately.

Local officials will make mandatory evacuation decisions before a storm makes landfall. Hurricanes are extremely unpredictable and can become much more dangerous in a matter of hours. It is not safe to wait. Plan to leave early.

Where to Go

You may evacuate to any city you choose. If you do not have hotel reservations or family to stay with, you may evacuate to public shelters.

Evacuation Routes  

There are no mandatory routes when evacuating from your city; however, several different routes may be taken. When the weather is good, take your family on an outing to check routes and become familiar with roadways.

The state has designated evacuation routes: SH-36, SH-288, SH-6, IH-45, US-290, US-59, SH-146, and I-10. If you choose to take an alternate route, essential services such as food, fuel, etc., are not guaranteed.

Please understand that depending on the strength of the storm, contra-flow lanes might be open on IH-45 Route, I-10 Route, US-290 Route, and US-59 Route before the arrival of gale-force winds. Plan your evacuation routes carefully (having more than one route planned), realizing that contra-flow lanes have priority over all routes.

View Evacuation Routes

State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR)

In the event of an emergency that requires evacuation, some individuals may need additional assistance leaving their homes. The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) (formerly the Transportation Assistance Registry) allows residents to provide information on their specific situation to emergency management officials who can help them with what they need to evacuate safely. Also, facilities that care for the most vulnerable of our residents can register their facilities with emergency responders to help when planning for and responding to disasters.

Ways to Register

  • Register Online – The fastest and easiest way for an individual to register for evacuation assistance.
  • Call 2-1-1 – A trained telephone operator will be able to take your information in minutes.
  • Download the paper form and submit it via email or fax.

IT IS NOT SAFE TO WAIT!