Hurricane Ike status report, 9 p.m. Sept. 12, 2008

The City of Austin and its partner agencies are diligently working with all of our partners to provide comfort to our incoming evacuees from the Texas coast. Local citizens should also prepare for the possible impact of Hurricane Ike.

Evacuees

• Our top priority is to get everyone safely to designated shelters.
• Please make sure evacuees seeking shelter call the Hurricane Hotline 512-974-1110.
• Please DO NOT go to a school campus unless you have contacted the hotline and have received direction to report to a specific location.
• Currently Austin is providing shelter to more than 5,100 evacuees including those with special needs.
• We are fully prepared to house up to 25,000 evacuees in approximately 75 shelters.
• Shelters are providing meals and pets are accepted.
• Emergency Medical Services staff is visiting each shelter to assess evacuees and provide additional care to those who need or request it.
• We have shelters set up for self-evacuees and separate locations for the Galveston bus evacuees. This plan will help us keep Galveston families together and them to return home together.

Austin and surrounding area residents

• If you are having an emergency please call 9-1-1.
• If your power goes out, call 322-9100.
• For all other issues such as fallen tree limbs, traffic signals down, flash flooding, etc. call Austin 3-1-1 Call Center.
• For closures due to inclement weather over the weekend, visit www.cityofaustin.org/oemand click on "Emergency Conditions."
• The Red Cross is in critical need of volunteers to help staff evacuation shelters.
• Volunteers should report to the Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Drive near 2222 and Mopac (we currently have one volunteer resource center but more may open).

Airline/Airport

• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the Barbara Jordan Terminal are open.
• All travelers should check with their airlines for flight status before coming to the airport.
• Continental and Southwest Airlines have canceled their flights to Harlingen.
• Information for flights at ABIA is available at www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/default.htm.

Highways

• Traffic out of Houston area is flowing generally well but somewhat slowly.
• There are congested areas along 290 and 183. Drivers are encouraged to be patient.
• Texas Department of Transportation has supply vehicles with ice, water and fuel along the major evacuation routes.
• KLBJ 590 AM and Spanish language 107.7 FM have offered to provide detailed information on the evacuation and sheltering efforts.
• As the storm approaches Central Texas and the Hill Country avoid low water crossings and be particularly careful after dark because it is more difficult to see flood waters and road conditions. Remember, Turn Around, Don't Drown!

Checklist for residents
www.ci.austin.tx.us/news/2008/austin_tips_ike_2008.htm