Hurricane Laura Evacuees In Austin Given Further Housing Options

AUSTIN, TX — Hurricane Laura evacuees seeking shelter in the Austin area should continue to go to the reception center at the Circuit of the Americas operational until Friday evening, city officials said Friday.

The racetrack transformed into makeshift shelter space is located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. Officials said the reception center is still operational, but will close at 6 p.m. today. Limited space is available in a traditional shelter setting for evacuees," officials added.

Buses began transporting individuals back to the Galveston area on Friday morning starting at 9:30 a.m., officials said in an advisory. Evacuees arriving by personal vehicle were directed to return to their homes after registering their families with hotel staff, government official or a Red Cross staff member. Evacuees returning by their own vehicles are encouraged to check roadway status with the Texas Department of Transportation at DriveTexas.org.

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For individuals unable to return to their home communities, city officials said they are prepared to shelter thm for a longer term. Those needing to remain in Austin for a longer time were directed to head to the Austin Convention Center.

Evacuees should text “ATXShelter” to 888-777 to get updates about sheltering in the Austin area. The Capital Area Shelter Hub run by the City of Austin, Hays County, Travis County and Williamson County has housed approximately 3,000 evacuees at 21 hotels and the Austin Convention Center.

Hurricane Laura made landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm early Thursday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Winds from the hurricane were clocked at 150 miles per hour at its peak.