TxDOT | TxDOT urges residents to stay home in the wake Hurricane Beryl's impact.
HOUSTON – In light of Hurricane Beryl's impact across the Greater Houston area, TxDOT officials are strongly urging motorists to stay home. The combination of tropical storm rainfall, slow movement, and high tides in the Gulf has exacerbated district-wide flooding conditions. As a result, several major roadways have become dangerously impassable. Additionally, as our crews assess damages from Beryl, they are encountering numerous downed trees, power lines, and traffic signal outages.
“We are urging the public to stay home,” said Raquelle Lewis, Southeast Texas Communications Director. “Already we have seen far too many examples of drivers failing to heed the warnings to Turn Around Don’t Drown."
Earlier today, Houston Mayor John Whitmire pleaded for all residents to shelter in place and emphasized that the number one priority is the preservation of life. TxDOT concurs and encourages all drivers to avoid unnecessary travel.
Key Safety Reminders:
• Stay Home: Avoid unnecessary travel to keep yourself and emergency responders safe.
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown: Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
• Drive to Conditions: Drive cautiously and adjust speed to match road conditions.
• Traffic Signals: Treat non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops and proceed with caution.
TxDOT activated its Emergency Operations Center early Sunday evening, and crews have been working tirelessly overnight to implement proactive measures aimed at mitigating flooding and facilitating a swift recovery. As the storm begins to subside, crews are diligently assessing damage, clearing road debris, and working to restore downed traffic signals.
For continuous updates on roadway conditions in the Houston District, visit Houston TranStar and Drive Texas. Follow us on Twitter for real-time information and advisories.