Humberto will open new dialogue on hurricane planning
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

When Hurricane Dean's projected path looked like it could threaten the Gulf Coast in August, Texas had the first opportunity to test the readiness plans that have been in development since the devastating 2005 hurricane season.

Plans began with an H-120 countdown that gives emergency managers five days during which steps are taken in measured progression to avoid snarls, delays and confusion.

The recent birth of Hurricane Humberto, from tropical depression to full-blown hurricane in less than 14 hours of labor, points out how difficult it is to plan for the unpredictable.

Billy Ted Smith, coordinator for Jasper, Newton and Sabine counties, was in training in Austin when Humberto came ashore at High Island last Thursday, Sept. 13. Although the damage from the Category 1 hurricane was minor in Jasper, Smith said the rapid formation of this storm will doubtless be the topic of many future meetings.

"Basically, you would react like you would if it was already here," Smith said. "It's doubtful that as far as Jasper is concerned that we would see winds of more than 80 - 85 miles per hour, so (with such a short time frame) we would be better off sheltering in place."

Smith said the state ran a readiness condition analysis as soon as the depression formed and started to move "assets" toward Houston.

"Assets" include transportation, supplies, and response teams for both before and after a storm hits. Evacuation for critical care and nursing homes could have been prioritized if the storm had stayed in the Gulf another day or two and built up, according to Smith.

Jasper saw no major flooding and only minor power outages, according to County Judge Mark Allen. South of Jasper, coastal areas experienced some flooding and major power outages that delayed services and caused worries of gasoline shortages over the weekend.