Need info from our TX friends

[ktschris]

Hi guys,
My parents are making their way from LA back to St. Louis. In light, of the recent tragedies, they wanted to steer clear of TX as not to add to the mass of people on the roads. But in Flaggstaff they had to turn down your way because the altitude was too high for my father. So they are in route to El Paso and will have to come through Dallas to connect to OK. Any info on gas, traffic or lodging would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Rita]

There has been more traffic on roads but I'm sure with each day that lessens as people go back to Houston.

Gas has gone up 10 cents/gal over the last couple days, but I haven't heard of shortages.

Lodging should be OK with the Houston people pulling out. The only thing I've heard on news about lodging problems is with some of the hotels where Katrina evacuees were staying - the hotels had rooms booked for conferences well in advance and are having to make Katrina people give up their rooms and find other lodging.

We often travel Rt.69 through OK and 40 (I think) to Illinois by way of St. Louis. This summer there was more road construction than usual but the Arkansas route had smoother sailing. Who knows now??

 

[ktschris]

Thank you Rita, I'll pass that info on to them. I think they were most worried about gas shortages. Mom said the media has really been hyping that out west.

Are the hotels really making evacuees leave! That just doesn't seem right. I had to quite watching covereage because I know this has brought about alot of good out in people, but all the news wants to show is the bad. Seems to me anyway. Thanks again.

 

[Rita]

Are the hotels really making evacuees leave! That just doesn't seem right.

The hotels doing this have had conventions or such booked well in advance and did not commit to housing the evacuees during those periods. They helped evacuees out around their other scheduled events.

It may be that the evacuees were not told this when placed in these hotels. They will need to go to another available hotel and possibly come back. Who knows? There is some juggling that isn't good especially if they've started kids in a school and then have to move. They need to get more permanent situations asap.

 

[BeachDreamer]

No gas shortages in East Texas either, and the roads are not as crowded now. Hotels can be found, since a lot of the evacs are heading back. Even Katrina evacs are being encouraged to find placement in more permanent homes. A friend of mine owns a camp that they've opened to evacuees, and she said that most of them have left already.

 

[ktschris]

Thanks BeachDreamer. I just got a call from them and they are going to stop in either Big Spring or Sweetwater for the night. They said they are pooped and can't make Dallas tonight. Thanks again guys for the info.