Map out evacuation plan ahead of time

Where to go

Part of every evacuation plan should be having a destination. For many, that will be family or friends further north. Motels fill up quickly, and the weather won't be conducive to camping.

Thousands of people quickly overwhelmed shelter facilities during the last storms. Some of the lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were that "catastrophic hurricanes can generate the need for much larger shelter facilities than host communities are accustomed to managing," according to a workshop summary from the recent hurricane conference in Galveston.

San Antonio successfully managed a "mega-shelter" and shared the lessons they learned.

Faith-based groups in also managed shelters. The Baptist Child and Family Services says they have "developed unique expertise in responding to persons with special needs during a disaster."

Billy Ted Smith is the emergency management coordinator for Jasper, Newton and Sabine Counties.

His website www.ih2000.net/jasperem states that "medications, 24-hour skilled nursing care and life support equipment, including oxygen, are not available in hurricane evacuation centers, and continuous electricity cannot be guaranteed."

People with special needs should be aware that most shelters only offer basics - food, water and first aid. Evacuees need to bring their medications, any special dietary provisions, and if they need an extra level of care, such as dialysis, they need to find a shelter that can accommodate their situation.

County Judge Mark Allen said, "Cities have chosen 'sister cities' to partner with for sheltering evacuees. For much of Jasper County, that would be Canton."

Hospitals have likewise chosen sister facilities. Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital has partnered with hospitals in Texarkana and Shreveport, according to Mark Durand, hospital spokesperson.

Nursing homes are now required to have contracts or letters of agreement with homes who will be able to meet their residents' needs (see Special Needs Evacuation story).

During the last storms, people with pets often refused to leave their animals, so the state has formed TxSART, the Texas State Animal Resource Team that is tasked with making shelter arrangements for pets and transportation plans also include pet carriers.

"Prepare wisely and stay alert to the media for evacuation times during emergencies," according to Smith's website. "Hurricane evacuation centers, whether general or specials needs, will only be available as a last resort to people who have no other place to go."