Long lines of vehicles backed up along Highway 6 out of Waco, but the more than 2 million residents of the Texas Gulf Coast who headed out of town before Hurricane Rita arrived should stay where they are for the time being, officials of coastal cities said Saturday.

Evacuees are scattered throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Thousands are in Central Texas hotels and motels and shelters set up in cities and towns throughout the region.

Despite the warnings to wait, many of the evacuees started to return home Saturday morning, but Houston Mayor Bill White said those who try to return to their homes now could interfere with rescue and relief efforts.

“It is critical that people that are coming to provide relief to the people who have been hardest-hit by Rita, people who are coming to get our power system up in order, people who are essential medical personnel, people who are necessary for the transportation and fueling sectors, the pharmacies, the people who provide food supplies be able to get back to the areas which were voluntary or involuntary evacuated,” White said.

“You will not be helping your city and fellow citizens if you don't heed our strong request about when you come back,” he said.

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas gave the island city’s evacuated residents the same message.

“We as a city and county have a great deal of work to do before we can let our citizens return<’ she said.

“Our primary concern is for the safety our residents. Please do not try to come onto the island. Do not try to come onto the island, citizens will be turned back,” she said.

Houston and Galveston both escaped a direct hit from Hurricane Rita, which came ashore at about 2 a.m. Saturday near Sabine Pass.

But about 75 percent of Galveston was without power early Saturday afternoon.

Heavy traffic on Highway 6 Saturday east of Waco slowed the progress of a convoy of federal vehicles headed for the affected region.

RETURN SCHEDULE:
(Source: Texas Governor's Office)

Sunday: Residents may return to communities west of I-45 and north of I-10, including residents of Tomball, The Woodlands, Waller, Hockley, Katy, Brookshire and surrounding communities.

Monday: Residents may return to communities west of SH 35 and south of I-10, including residents of Richmond, Stafford, Rosenberg, Sugarland, Pearland and surrounding communities, plus all Houston residents inside Loop I-610.

Tuesday: Residents may return to all remaining areas east of I-45 and north of I-10 up to the Liberty and Chamber county lines.

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