Phased Hurricane Evacuation

TIMELINES Note: Phased Evacuation times will be adjusted based on storm speed and intensity. Periods between timelines may be shortened or lengthened depending on the storm.

PHASE 1:

40 hours prior to the onset of 35 MPH winds (Tropical Conditions)
DESCRIPTION: VOLUNTARY EVACUATION of all special needs residents, nursing homes, home health care patients, tourists and vacationers in Aransas County.
HAZARD: Category 1-5 hurricane
ESTIMATED AFFECTED POPULATION: 1,000 to 2,500
EVACUATION ROUTES: SH 188 to IH 37. SH 35 north to FM 239 to US 77 or US 183.

PHASE 2

: 32 hours prior to the onset of 35 MPH winds (Tropical Conditions)
DESCRIPTION: MANDATORY EVACUATION of all special needs residents, nursing homes, home health care patients, tourists and vacationers in Aransas County. All residents living in mobile homes or along the water front/canals or low lying areas that normally flood with heavy rains or high tides.
HAZARD: Category 1-5 hurricane
ESTIMATED AFFECTED POPULATION: 5,000
EVACUATION ROUTES: SH 188 to IH 37. SH 35 north to FM 239 to US 77 or US 183

PHASE 3:

24 hours prior to the onset of 35 MPH winds (Tropical Conditions)
DESCRIPTION: MANDATORY EVACUATION of all residents and those not deemed essential employees by business such as banks, food service, pharmacies, fuel supply, grocery/emergency supply stores and those in the oil, gas and chemical industry.
HAZARD: Category 1-5 hurricane
ESTIMATED AFFECTED POPULATION: 15,000
EVACUATION ROUTES: SH 188 to IH 37. SH 35 north to FM 239 to US 77 or US 183

PHASE 4:

16 hours prior to the onset of 35 MPH winds (Tropical Conditions)
DESCRIPTION: MANDATORY EVACUATION of all remaining residents. Essential employees of businesses such as banks, food service, pharmacies, fuel supply, grocery/emergency supply stores and thosse in the oil, gas and chemical industry begin to reduce staff.
HAZARD: Category 1-5 hurricane
ESTIMATED AFFECTED POPULATION: 5,000
EVACUATION ROUTES: SH 188 to US 181 or IH 37. SH 35 north or south.

PHASE 5:

8 hours prior to the onset of 35 MPH winds
DESCRIPTION: MANDATORY EVACUATION of all residents, employees or volunteers left in Aransas County whether deemed essential or not that have planned to leave.
HAZARD: Category 1-5 hurricane
ESTIMATED AFFECTED POPULATION: 2,500
EVACUATION ROUTES: SH 188 to US 181 or IH 37. SH 35 north or south.

PHASE 6:

4 hours prior to the onset of 35 MPH winds
DESCRIPTION: MANDATORY EVACUATION of all residents, employees or volunteers left in Aransas County.
HAZARD: Category 4 or 5 hurricane with possible 20 foot or higher tidal surge.
ESTIMATED AFFECTED POPULATION: 1,000
EVACUATION ROUTES: SH 188 to Sinton. SH 35 north to FM 774 to Refugio.

MANDATORY EVACUATION:

An order by the County Judge and/or Mayor(s) that a state of local disaster exists or is imminent within their jurisdication, to the extent that emergency services will not be able to respond to assist anyone who has chosen not to follow said order.

SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENT (BY STATE DEFINITION):

LEVEL 1: Persons dependent on others or in need of others for routine care. Transportation by buses, trains, airplanes or personal autos.
LEVEL 2: Persone with disabilities such as the blind, hearing impaired, amputation and deaf/blind. Transportaiton by buses, trains, airplanes or personal autos.
LEVEL 3: Persons requiring assistance with medical care administration, monitoring by a nurse, dependent on equipment, assistance with medications and mental health disorders. Transportation by buses, trains, airplanes, personal autos or handicap buses.
LEVEL 4: Persons outside an institutional faciity care setting who require extensive medical oversight. Transportation by ground or air ambulance, buses, trains, airplanes or handicap buses.
LEVEL 5: Persons in institutional settings such as hospitals, long-term carfe facilities, assisted living facilities and state schools. Transportation by ground or air ambulance, buses, trains, airplanes or handicap buses.