New plan could end evacuation fuel nightmares

From the Rita Sure Was a Headache Department comes this news story: a plan that could reduce the number of stranded motorists - and traffic - during a hurricane evacuation.

Pre-Rita, fuel supply was not covered in the state's evacuation plan, which weighed in at a hefty 200+ pages. But now, state leaders and oil execs have teamed up - this time for something good - to come up with a plan that will help supply gas to people trying to blow this popsicle stand during a hurricane. The plan requires gas stations to maintain underground tanks that are at least 65 percent full. Then, when storm winds are five days from reaching the Texas shore, fuel trucks will be filled and directed to gas stations along the coast. However, there is no provision for free or reduced-cost fuel during an emergency situation.

You may have noticed that the signs along the highway that usually indicate travel times, warn of traffic due to accidents, etc. now also instruct you to keep your gas tanks half-full during hurricane season. As storms get closer, the signs will also warn and inform highway drivers. This is the 25th day of hurricane season and we haven't even had any close calls yet, so knock on wood, keep your fingers crossed, and pick some four-leaf clovers.

This is only one of several things that officials have done to implement the lessons learned during Rita. Recall the new flood maps and instruction not to evacuate unless you are really in danger.