Rita Evacuees Running Out of Gas

As more than 1 million residents from along the Gulf of Mexico escaped from their homes, towns and cities across Texas struggled with housing the displaced masses, many still stranded on jam-packed highways.

Tempers flared in the 97 degree Fahrenheit (36 Celsius) heat at the few gas stations that still had gas, overheated cars lined the freeways and trips that normally take 15 minutes stretched into hours.
Amid all the advance planning _ including millions of pounds of food and water, thousands of hospital beds, and satellite phones to maintain communications _ state officials pleaded for gasoline to replenish dwindling fuel supplies along evacuation routes.

Extra fuel was Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s “No. 1 request,” Federal Emergency Management Agency acting director R. David Paulison said Thursday afternoon.

AP