Evacuation Guide

Austin, Texas Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Flash Flood

Austin sits in Flash Flood Alley. Rapid creek flooding kills more people than any other weather hazard in central Texas.

Tornado

Central Texas tornado risk March-June. EF2+ tornadoes have struck Austin metro area.

Extreme Heat

Summer temperatures regularly exceed 105F. Multi-week heat waves strain power grid and endanger vulnerable populations.

Wildfire

Hill Country cedar and drought conditions create extreme fire risk. 2011 Bastrop fire destroyed 1,600+ homes.

Ice Storm

Rare but devastating winter ice storms can paralyze the city. February 2021 crisis caused widespread power failure.

Power Grid Failure

ERCOT grid isolation means no imports during peak demand. Summer heat and winter cold both stress the system.

Evacuation Routes

I-35 North to Waco/Dallas

primary

Primary northbound evacuation via I-35 through Round Rock, Temple, and on to Waco. Major interstate with heavy traffic.

100 miles to Waco1.5 hours (normal), 4-6 hours (evacuation)

I-35 through Austin is chronically congested - use frontage roads

Flash flood crossings at multiple creek underpasses

Flash Flood

Hurricane Remnants

Industrial Accident

I-35 South to San Antonio

primary

Southern evacuation to San Antonio via I-35 through San Marcos and New Braunfels. Fast, well-serviced corridor.

80 miles to San Antonio1.25 hours (normal), 3-4 hours (evacuation)

Flash Flood Alley - I-35 between Austin and San Marcos floods frequently

Multiple low-water crossings can become deadly during rain

Wildfire

Tornado

Power Grid Failure

US-290 East to Houston

secondary

Eastern evacuation via US-290 through Elgin and Brenham toward Houston. Rural corridor with moderate services.

165 miles to Houston2.5 hours (normal), 5-7 hours (evacuation)

Rural two-lane highway for much of the route - slower but less congested

Flash flooding at Yegua Creek and Colorado River crossings

Tornado

Wildfire

Civil Unrest

US-183 North to Cedar Park/Lampasas

secondary

Northern alternate via US-183 through Cedar Park and into the Hill Country. Less congested than I-35.

70 miles to Lampasas1.25 hours (normal), 3-4 hours (evacuation)

Hill Country roads are winding with steep grades

Deer crossing risk especially at dawn/dusk

Flash Flood

Extreme Heat

Urban Fire

Lady Bird Lake Trail to Zilker

foot

On-foot route along Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail from downtown to Zilker Park and Barton Creek Greenbelt.

5 miles to Zilker Park1.5-2.5 hours on foot

AVOID trail during flash flood warnings - Lady Bird Lake rises rapidly

Barton Creek floods violently - stay on high ground

Vehicle Unavailable

Road Blockage

Grid Down

Shoal Creek Trail North

foot

Foot route north from downtown along Shoal Creek to Pease Park and into residential neighborhoods.

4 miles to Anderson Lane1.5-2 hours on foot

Shoal Creek is EXTREMELY flash flood prone - do NOT use during storms

Trail floods with only moderate rainfall

Vehicle Unavailable

Downtown Evacuation

Grid Down

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Safe Zones & Rally Points

Austin Convention Center (Emergency Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 6,000

Dell Seton Medical Center at UT

hospital • Capacity: 211

St. David's Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 350

Ascension Seton Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 452

Austin Fire Station 1

fire station

Zilker Park

rally point

UT Austin Campus - Main Mall

rally point

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

resource

Palmer Events Center

shelter • Capacity: 3,000

Camp Mabry (TX Military Dept)

resource

Mueller Lake Park

rally point

Onion Creek Metro Park

rally point

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