Deciding factors for hurricane evacuation: Wind and surge
2009 season begins Monday
Rachel Denny Clow/Corpus Christi Caller-Times/Wednesday, May 27, 2009
2009 Hurricane Guide

CORPUS CHRISTI — Local and state officials will use hurricane wind strength and storm surge calculations to decide if residents will evacuate the Coastal Bend this season.

Storm surge is the depth of water from a hurricane and how far inland it is expected to reach. Hurricane season begins Monday.

“Folks need to know if they’re in a storm surge zone,” said John Metz, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service. “If they are, then they need to consider having flood insurance and they need to prepare to evacuate when called to do so. They should plan for significant damage or complete loss of property.

With Ike, people lost thousands of homes due to storm surge.”

In the past, officials have made evacuation decisions based on a hurricane’s category number.

Hurricane Ike, which was a Category 2, had a storm surge of 16 feet, which would have been a surge more in line with a Category 4 hurricane, Metz said.

“Storms are all different. They vary in size, intensity and impact,” Metz said.

Officials from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Transportation, 2-1-1 Texas, the American Red Cross, Nueces County of Emergency Management, and cities of Corpus Christi and Port Aransas offices of emergency management spoke during the news conference and reiterated the need for preparation.

“We urge everyone along the Gulf Coast to prepare,” said Russel Lenz, Corpus Christi district engineer with the Texas Department of Transportation. “It’s essential to the safety of everyone. There’s movement of a lot of people in a short period of time to safety. You need to have a plan.”

Evacuation help

People with special needs, disabilities or who don’t have transportation out of the area should call 211 and register for help with evacuation. The 2-1-1 Texas/United Way Info Line provides callers with guidance to trauma services and other emergency information.

Individuals who registered with the service last year only need to call if their information has changed.

Business planning

What: a business tabletop exercise for any business, limited to 30 companies. Registration is required.
When: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 18
Where: 2910 Leopard St.
Information: Caller.com

Other helpful sites

www.ready.gov
www.txdps.state.tx.us
www.onestorm.org
www.cbtredcross.org
www.noaa.gov