Hurricane Dean: Don't Mess With Texas
According to the Associated Press, a voluntary evacuation order has been dispatched from state officials in an attempt to head off potentially serious complications caused by flooding, power outages, and possible tornadic activity in addition to the effects of what may become a catagory five hurricane.
In an effort to avoid substantial loss of life, law, and order, Texas Gov. Perry (R) has tapped into the state's gasoline reserves, sending 80,000 gallons of fuel to bolster supplies, should a mass exodus occour from Houston, the largest city in the state.
A megalopolis plauged by urban sprawl, heavily dependant on private automobiles, and poor highway and road planning, Houston has long been prone to gridlock, such was the case with a previous evacuation attempt before Hurricane Rita in which traffic snarled for miles, gasoline stations were pumped dry, and freeways diverted to flow in one direction--away from the sea.
Six massive cargo aircraft, a fleet of 700 busses--with 600 more on standby--and deployment of the National Guard have developed hopes that if--and when--Hurricane Dean does break ground, the government will not fail as it did during Hurricane Katrina.
Time will tell.