If you live in the storm surge danger area, YOU CAN STILL EVACUATE. Very little traffic on the roads, check for yourself on the traffic cameras:
http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/cameras/camtext.aspx
And the traffic speed maps:
http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/
The northernmost camera on I-45 is very close to the choke point where the freeway narrows from 4 lanes northbound to 2. So while there may be backups further north, it is nothing like yesterday (8 lanes stop and go at 2am this morning) and you will be able to stay ahead of the storm. I-45 is open now past the bus accident site, which is just south of Dallas. If you are unsure of your safety in a storm surge, LEAVE! Storm surge is the big killer.
Here are storm surge maps to doublecheck:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/tropical/evac_map/gifs/
Some jerk0ff reporter just asked President Bush if there wasn't a chance that he and his entourage will get in the way when they visit the Houston area today?
So if he comes a day late, they say "why were you late when we needed you so bad".
And if he comes early, they say "won't you be getting in the way".
F'ers!
They reversed the contraflow lanes back...