Evacuation Guide

Houston, Texas Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Threat Assessment

Hurricane

Gulf Coast location makes Houston highly vulnerable. Harvey (2017) dropped 60+ inches of rain. Major hurricane makes direct hit every 10-15 years.

Flood

Flat terrain, clay soils, and extensive impervious surfaces cause catastrophic urban flooding. Bayou system overflows regularly.

Chemical Spill / Industrial Accident

Houston Ship Channel is one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world. Refinery fires and toxic releases are recurring threats.

Tornado

Houston is in Tornado Alley's southern extension. EF1-EF2 tornadoes occur during severe thunderstorm season.

Extreme Heat

Summer heat indices regularly exceed 110F. Grid strain during heat waves can cause rolling blackouts.

Evacuation Routes

I-10 West to San Antonio

primary

Primary western evacuation via I-10. Major interstate corridor with contraflow capability during hurricane evacuation. Leads to San Antonio, well inland from Gulf threats.

197 miles to San Antonio3 hours (normal), 8-12 hours (evacuation)

Contraflow lanes activated during mandatory hurricane evacuation - all lanes become westbound

Katy Freeway (I-10 W) is widest freeway in US but jams fast during evacuations

Hurricane

Storm Surge

Chemical Spill

I-45 North to Dallas

secondary

Northern evacuation via I-45. Direct route to Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, well away from coastal hazards.

239 miles to Dallas3.5 hours (normal), 10-14 hours (evacuation)

Contraflow possible on I-45 N during major hurricane events

The Woodlands / Spring area is first major bottleneck

Hurricane

Storm Surge

Flood

I-69 / US-59 Northeast to Lufkin

tertiary

Northeast evacuation via I-69/US-59. Less congested alternative through piney woods of East Texas.

120 miles to Lufkin2 hours (normal), 5-7 hours (evacuation)

Less congested than I-10 or I-45 during evacuations

Two-lane stretches north of Cleveland - slower but moving

Hurricane

Chemical Spill

Industrial Accident

I-10 East to Beaumont

tertiary

Eastern evacuation via I-10. WARNING: Do NOT use for hurricane evacuation - heads toward Gulf. Only for localized inland emergencies.

85 miles to Beaumont1.5 hours (normal), 3-4 hours (congested)

DO NOT USE FOR HURRICANE EVACUATION - route heads toward Gulf coast

Only use for localized events: chemical spill, industrial accident

Localized Chemical Spill

Industrial Accident

Urban Fire

Buffalo Bayou Trail to Memorial Park

foot

On-foot escape along Buffalo Bayou Trail system. Connects downtown to Memorial Park and western neighborhoods when roads are impassable.

8 miles3-4 hours on foot

DO NOT USE DURING ACTIVE FLOODING - bayou trail is in the flood zone

Wait for waters to recede before using this route

Post-Flood Evacuation

Vehicle Unavailable

Grid Down

Roads Blocked

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Safe Zones & Rally Points

NRG Center (George R. Brown Convention Center Overflow)

shelter • Capacity: 10,000

George R. Brown Convention Center

shelter • Capacity: 10,000

Texas Medical Center - Main Campus

hospital • Capacity: 9,200

Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 1,054

Houston Methodist Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 907

Ben Taub Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 586

Houston Fire Station 8 - Central Command

fire station

Toyota Center / Discovery Green Rally Point

rally point

Hermann Park

rally point

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

resource

Minute Maid Park Rally Point

rally point

Memorial Park

rally point

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