If I lived in a non-eastern or non-low-lying suburb of Houston I would NOT evacuate right now. Landfall will likely occur east of the city, putting most of the city in offshore flow. If this occurs, which I believe it will, I don't think the folks on higher ground have a whole lot to worry about. Yes, there could be some wind damage, but I don't expect Andrew type of wind damage (houses crushed, etc). It may be better for folks to stay put, hunker down after making all other hurricane preparations, and stay off the freeways to let those who are in significant danger (those along the coast) to escape inland. The city of Houston is about 50 miles inland, so I wouldn't expect them to experience much above 80mph sustained winds. Of course, the Bay of Galveston is there, so if the storm was going to hit west of Houston, there may be a better chance of getting very strong winds uninhibited by land friction. This doesn't appear likely, though the 12z GFDL solution of the eye passing immediately east of Houston would bring some significant winds into the downtown areas as the western eyewall passes over the eastern part of the city. Though again, I don't think this is the most likely scenario right now. I guess we are still 36 hours from landfall, so I hope the freeways clear up by then. I'd certainly like to see the near-coast folks be able to get out of the areas of greatest danger.
