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Houston motorists have until 6:30 p.m. to be off roads
By Jonathan McElvy
HCN Staff
Houston motorists have until 6:30 p.m. Friday to be off the roads.
In a swift press conference confined to two issues, Houston Mayor Bill White and Houston County Judge Ed Emmett asked all those driving to be at their destination by 6:30.
"Please be off the freeways by then, or shortly thereafter," Emmett said.
Though it is uncertain if Houston and Harris County law enforcement will enforce the car curfew, Police Chief Harold Hurtt and Sheriff Tommy Thomas did say a 7 p.m. curfew would be enforced.
Those who live in the mandatory evacuation zones of Harris County have been placed under a curfew that begins at 7 p.m. Friday. The curfew expires at 6 a.m. Saturday and goes back into effect at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"There are still a lot of people out there," said Thomas. "I saw someone kayaking in White Oak Buffalo [Bayou] on the way here."
Those out for a swift trip down the bayou aren't the biggest concern for local law enforcement, though.
White, Emmett, Hurtt and Thomas all took turns warning those who would consider taking advantage of homes where mandatory evacuations have been ordered.
"We do not tolerate the conduct of those who violate the rights of others," White said. "And we don't expect our citizens to violate those laws."
According the Emmett, a number of Harris County residents have voiced concerns about the wide publicity given to the evacuation zip codes.
"When you publicize what areas are evacuated, people have voiced concern to us that others know they won't be home," Emmett said.
Officials did not tell reporters how they planned to monitor the evacuated areas, citing the need for some sort of secrecy in their enforcement.
As of the 5 p.m. news conference, no break-ins had been reported.
While no time has been scheduled yet, city and county leaders expect to brief the public later tonight on any developments caused by Hurricane Ike.
In a swift press conference confined to two issues, Houston Mayor Bill White and Houston County Judge Ed Emmett asked all those driving to be at their destination by 6:30.
"Please be off the freeways by then, or shortly thereafter," Emmett said.
Though it is uncertain if Houston and Harris County law enforcement will enforce the car curfew, Police Chief Harold Hurtt and Sheriff Tommy Thomas did say a 7 p.m. curfew would be enforced.
Those who live in the mandatory evacuation zones of Harris County have been placed under a curfew that begins at 7 p.m. Friday. The curfew expires at 6 a.m. Saturday and goes back into effect at 7 p.m. Saturday.
"There are still a lot of people out there," said Thomas. "I saw someone kayaking in White Oak Buffalo [Bayou] on the way here."
Those out for a swift trip down the bayou aren't the biggest concern for local law enforcement, though.
White, Emmett, Hurtt and Thomas all took turns warning those who would consider taking advantage of homes where mandatory evacuations have been ordered.
"We do not tolerate the conduct of those who violate the rights of others," White said. "And we don't expect our citizens to violate those laws."
According the Emmett, a number of Harris County residents have voiced concerns about the wide publicity given to the evacuation zip codes.
"When you publicize what areas are evacuated, people have voiced concern to us that others know they won't be home," Emmett said.
Officials did not tell reporters how they planned to monitor the evacuated areas, citing the need for some sort of secrecy in their enforcement.
As of the 5 p.m. news conference, no break-ins had been reported.
While no time has been scheduled yet, city and county leaders expect to brief the public later tonight on any developments caused by Hurricane Ike.
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