When Hurricane Rita threatened the Gulf Coast two years ago, tens of thousands of people evacuated even though they weren't in the storm surge areas. That created massive gridlock on highways and interstates heading out of Houston.

County leaders are hoping a new ZIP code plan will help clear up any confusion about who is -- and isn't -- part of a mandatory evacuation plan.

The storm surge map includes three areas labeled A, B, and C. Those areas are broken down by ZIP code. If a major hurricane is heading toward the Texas coast, the areas would be evacuated, one-by-one, according to ZIP codes.

"All of these evacuations need to be staggered," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "We have got to let the people south of Houston and Harris County clear first."

Judge Emmett said the county and state will be better prepared to handle the people who evacuate along I-10, I-45, 59 and 290.

For people fleeing Rita, trips that normally take a few hours took as many as 20 because of the traffic jams. Dozens of cars ran out of gas and were stranded along the highways. A few people even died.

When future hurricanes threaten, staging areas for fuel will be set up along the way. Comfort stations will also provide water, ice and some food. Emergency medical crews will be stationed at every comfort station.

AP

Cars were stuck in traffic for hours along I-45 during the Hurricane Rita evacuation.

Seventy-five hurricams will help TxDOT monitor the traffic conditions.

Judge Emmett said the county has been working closely with leaders in statewide shelter cities that would take evacuees. Dallas/Fort Worth will be the key shelter city for Houston and Harris County residents.

Emergency planners urged anyone who will need help evacuating to call 211 to register. Only a few thousand people have signed up so far, and county leaders believe there are thousands more who will need help when the time comes.

Those who register with 211 will be picked up at their homes by Metro buses or Yellow Cabs. They will be taken to hubs at Baytown's Stallworth Stadium, the Pasadena Convention Center and an undetermined location in Harris County, then bused out of town.

“One of the main purposes is to make sure that the individual residents are ready. Government can only do so much,” Judge Emmett said.