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Traffic still bumper to bumper in Brenham 70 miles northwest of Houston

Brenham Banner-Press:

Major highways were gridlocked today as thousands of people fled from Houston and coastal areas, moving westward and northward to escape Hurricane Rita.

The massive storm is barreling toward the Texas coast, expected to hit land sometime Saturday. Forecasters predicted it would come ashore near Galveston.

But Brenham officials had encouraging words for residents: expect some damage but no long-term power outages from the massive storm.

Traffic was bumper-to-bumper on long stretches of U.S. 290 and Highway 36 today, and local shelters were full.

Brenham City Manager Terry Roberts said this morning that all lanes of U.S. 290 were being converted to westward traffic only, but he was uncertain how far out of Houston that was being extended.

The path of the storm could bring high winds and heavy rains to Washington County, although winds would be significantly diminished by the time the main force of Rita arrives here.

"That's two things that we have going for us -- we're farther from the coast and our power grid is in the west," said Assistant City Manager Kyle Dannhaus.

Brenham and Bluebonnet Electric get their electricity from the Austin-based Lower Colorado River Authority.

If we do not get a power outtage it will be a miracle. Thunderstorms cause power outtages around here.