HOUSTON, July 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- With predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) that "a very active hurricane season is looming," Mapsco, Inc. is beginning a communications campaign to let people in Houston know about a key to survival -- The Roads of Texas. This road atlas was the basis for a quick evacuation for many last year.
"Thanks to the accuracy of your maps, my family and several other cars following us did not have to sit in the horrible evacuation traffic due to Hurricane Rita," said Geoff Land. "Instead of running out of gas on a major freeway, we were able to get from Houston to Temple on the back roads with little to no trouble. Given the stress of a horrible situation, your publication literally saved the day," said Land in an e-mail thank you note to Mapsco.
NOAA Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson urged Americans to be prepared. "The impact from these storms extends well beyond coastal areas, so it is vital that residents in hurricane prone areas get ready in advance of the hurricane season," he said.
Mapsco, which owns The Roads of Texas, is hoping to make Houstonians aware of the publication, by putting up a billboard at I-610 north near Ella Boulevard.
"We were advised that outdoor advertising would be the best way to reach people in Houston," said Tracy Eubanks, Mapsco chief operating officer. "We selected a high traffic area off of 610, hoping to reach as many people as possible."
In addition to the NOAA, other governmental officials are urging preparation, including the City of Houston and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The City of Houston Emergency Management office advises that residents should have a destination, route and alternate route predetermined prior to a call for evacuation. FEMA urges that residents have a map of the area at the ready, along with other items, in the disaster supplies checklist in the "Are you Ready Guide."
The Roads of Texas is available at Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Academy, Frontier Maps and Key Maps, Inc., in Houston.
"This is an excellent publication," said Peggy Bilancich, sales manager, Key Maps, Inc. "We've included it in our Evac Pack, along with the latest Key Map Atlas of Houston and other necessary items, should evacuation from the Houston area be required."
Last year Mapsco assisted evacuees and disaster relief agencies by distributing free copies of The Roads of Louisiana and a special release of folded maps of Dallas following Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the Texas and Louisiana versions, Mapsco publishes state atlas maps for New Mexico, North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Mapsco currently maps more than 30,000 square miles, including metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Waco, Denver, Colorado springs, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Albuquerque and Louisville.
Mapsco is headquartered in Addison, Texas and is committed to providing quality customer service, a rewarding work environment and mapping products that retain the highest level of accuracy. For more information on the company, its locations or services, please visit www.mapsco.com or call 972-450-9300.