Fleeing before Hurricane Rita hit land on Sept. 24, 2005, evacuees faced a separate disaster on roads like Interstate 10. The chaotic evacuation contributed to more deaths than the storm itself. Officials say they are better prepared for the next evacuation.
Fleeing before Hurricane Rita hit land on Sept. 24, 2005, evacuees faced a separate disaster on roads like Interstate 10. The chaotic evacuation contributed to more deaths than the storm itself. Officials say they are better prepared for the next evacuation. The Beaumont Enterprise

Before Hurricane Rita hit the Texas coast 10 years ago, there was an evacuation marked by a traffic disaster. Officials say they’re prepared to avoid a similar catastrophe on the roads. Check out this first installment, as well as the others, in a seven-part series done in partnership with The Texas Tribune and the Beaumont Enterprise on the “Road From Rita.” Also, you can click through the “Road From Rita” photo gallery.

Texans need the truth. Help us report it.

Become a member. Join today.

Choose an amount or learn more about membership.

Eleanor Dearman is a former reporting fellow. She majored in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. She has also interned for the San Antonio Express-News in its Austin bureau covering Texas...