(August 28, 2008)—Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration for 61 Texas counties Thursday as the state prepares for a possible brush with what’s now Tropical Storm Gustav.

The governor’s declaration includes Brazos and Navarro Counties in Central Texas, which could be affected by an evacuation from the coast.

By early next week, forecasters say Gustav could strengthen into a powerful hurricane and should be bearing down on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

“Texas is closely following Gustav’s track as it approaches the Gulf and we are preparing for any potential impact on our communities,” Perry said.

“I urge Texans along the coast to monitor this storm closely, heed warnings from their local leaders, and take necessary precautions to protect their families, homes and businesses.”

In case of a coastal evacuation, Bell Bounty would receive residents from Brazoria County.

The Expo Center would serve as a receiving point before evacuees are dispersed to local shelters.

Waco and Bryan-College Station have also been designated locations for federal medical stations if necessary.

Given that this is a holiday weekend, emergency coordinators have pointed out that there will be more people on the Gulf Coast, which could present more challenges.

“We've made contact with some of the key people yesterday and today to at least make them aware of it to where we can make contact with them over the weekend in the event we do have to stand up shelters,” Bell County Emergency Management Coordinator Dennis Baker said.

Baker was also quick to point out that there is still a lot of water Gustav has to cross and some uncertainty just what direction the storm will move.

Perry has put 5,000 National Guard troops on standby for deployment, as well as the Texas Engineering Extension Service, and Texas Task Forces 1 and 2.

Department of Public Safety Vehicle Enforcement troopers are on standby to inspect busses that would be used in the event of evacuations.

Message signs are in use along the coast, urging residents to fuel up vehicles in preparation for possible evacuations.

Fuel supply trucks and trailers are on standby to ensure adequate fuel supplies.

Some of the steps including the effort to ensure fuel supplies and putting DPS troopers on standby to inspect busses grow out of recommendations made in the wake of Hurricane Rita in 2005.

Motorists stuck in long lines of traffic as thousands of residents headed inland frequently ran out of gas and were forced to abandon vehicles, further snarling traffic.

One bus that was used to evacuate elderly nursing home residents burst into flames on Interstate 45 outside of Dallas, killing 24 evacuees.

Forecasters aren’t sure what track the storm will take, but residents all along the coast are preparing.

In Beaumont, some residents were filling up their tanks and stocking their pantries.

In Tyler, tourism officials say that most of the 2,200 hotel rooms in the East Texas city are full as Gulf Coast residents make plans to head north.

Gustav was still a tropical storm on Thursday and was dumping heavy rain on Jamaica.

The storm’s center was about 40 miles east of Kingston, Jamaica and about 335 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman.

Gustav was moving toward the west at about 5 miles per hour, but a gradual increase in speed and a turn toward the west-northwest and northwest is expected over the next 48 hours.

Maximum sustained winds Thursday were near 70 miles per hour and Gustav could again become a hurricane at any time.

Resources On Standby
(Source: Governor's Office)

Texas Military Forces: Up to 5,000 guardsmen and 19 aerial resources are on standby for deployment as needed.

Texas Engineering Extension Service: Texas Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2 are on standby if search and rescue capabilities are needed.

Department of Public Safety: Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers are on standby to inspect buses that may be used in potential evacuations.

Department of State Health Services: The Multi-Agency Coordination Center is activated and will provide planning and response for health issues throughout the storm’s potential impact. All hospitals are reporting their bed capacity and potential need for evacuation twice a day. DSHS has also arranged for a medical special needs shelter.

Health and Human Services Commission: HHSC is working with the state's information and referral centers to increase capacity for an expected surge in calls to the 2-1-1 system to register for transportation assistance.

Department of Family and Protective Services: The agency is making sure foster parents and residential providers have updated emergency plans and know how to notify the state of their new location if they need to evacuate.

Department of Aging and Disability Services: Staff at the Richmond and Lufkin state schools are monitoring the storm and making preparations to ensure adequate staffing to shelter in place or evacuate if necessary.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Hurricane housing resources for communities are on the agency's website (www.tdhca.state.tx.us). TDHCA is reminding all affordable housing rental owners statewide to keep their apartment vacancy information current as they supply information to TDHCA.

Texas Department of Agriculture: The agency has identified commodities that are available for distribution should it be necessary, and is coordinating with the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: A strike team capable of handling hazardous materials, additional public water supply and wastewater specialists, and a self contained mobile command post trailer with interoperable radio communications and satellite/wireless internet connections is on standby.

Texas Workforce Commission: All Texas coastal workforce centers remain open.

Texas Department of Transportation: Dynamic message signs are being used to urge residents along the coast to fuel up their vehicles. TxDOT personnel are also sweeping roadside shoulders and patching pavement along potential evacuation routes.
Fuel Team: Fuel supply trucks and trailers are on standby to ensure adequate fuel supplies. The industry reminds Texans to maintain fuel in their personal vehicles.
Individuals with special needs can let responders know who and where they are before an emergency or evacuation takes place by calling 2-1-1.

The Emergency Management Council and State Operations Center are fully activated. The State Operations Center is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Gustav and holding twice daily conference calls with federal, state and local officials, private industry partners, volunteer organizations, and the National Weather Service.

Expanded Forecast Center Storm Resources

Situation Reports From Governor’s Office Of Emergency Managment

Take Advantage Of Our Hurricane Tracker. Download News Central Desktop Alert

National Hurricane Center Web Site

National Weather Service Web Site

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(Reporter Matt Felder contributed to this story)