Texas Prepares for Hurricane Gustav – Disaster Declared – 5,000 Troops on Standby

It’s reassuring to see state and local governments across the Gulf Coast ramp up disaster operations well ahead of the storm:

Gov. Rick Perry has issued a disaster declaration for 61 counties as Texas prepares for a possible brush with Tropical Storm Gustav.

Perry said Thursday that more than 5,000 guardsmen and other state resources are on standby in case the storm comes ashore along the Texas Coast.

Unfortunately, Governor Perry’s hurricane preparedness site isn’t quite up to speed. The last update, at the time of posting, was August 5th. That is a minor problem but there are still many positive developments worth noting:

State transportation workers are preparing for evacuations, should Gustav blow ashore along the Gulf Coast, officials said Thursday. Shoulders along evacuation routes are being swept, and pot holes filled. In addition, electronic warning signs on highways in Houston, Galveston and other coastal areas are urging drivers to keep their gas tanks full.

Pets, which often find themselves neglected or abandoned in these storms, are even on the radar early:

The Louisiana SPCA is evacuating animals and working with shelters in Texas, said Maura Davies, a SPCA of Texas spokeswoman. The Dallas and McKinney shelters began restricting their intake Wednesday.

The Dallas SPCA can provide shelter for about 250 animals and the McKinney location can house about 500 animals and has the ability to expand if necessary, Ms. Davies said. It sits on 20 acres and features an indoor facility, temporary kennels, a climate-controlled barn and two pastures.

Remember that if you plan to keep your pet through the storm, or an evacuation, you’ll have to include them in your preparations.

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