HOUSTON -- Those who work in essential positions needed to get the Houston area back to normal day-to-day operations were asked to report to work as soon as possible, KPRC Local 2 reported Sunday.

"It is important that people who are in essential jobs for the recovery, such as medical personnel, those who work in gasoline stations, those in the transportation system, those in aviation, those in pharmacies and the food supply and delivery system, those in public entities who have important public service components to them -- that those people make plans to serve the public so that our community can recover well," Houston Mayor Bill White said.

"We often don't think of critical personnel as being the simplest types of things but a city does not function without food, or grocery stores, gasoline, so it's important that those folks come back," Harris County Judge Robert Eckels said.

Eckels also said jury duty has been canceled in Harris County for Monday and Tuesday but the courts would be open.

Evacuees Asked To Follow Reentry Schedule

A schedule was released Saturday for the return of southeast Texas residents who evacuated from Hurricane Rita.

Evacuees may return Sunday to areas west of Interstate 45 and north of Interstate 10, which includes Tomball, The Woodlands, Waller, Hockley, Katy, Brookshire and surrounding communities.
Evacuees may return Monday to inside the 610 Loop and areas south of I-10 and west of Galveston Bay, including central Houston, Richmond, Stafford, Rosenberg, Sugar Land, Pearland, Clear Lake and Galveston.
Evacuees may return Tuesday to areas east of I-45, north of I-10 and west of the Liberty and Chambers county lines.

Residents to the east and south of those areas have been advised to stay away until further notice because of blocked roads, downed power lines and other damage caused by the Category 3 storm.

City and county officials said re-entry highways into Houston would remain two-way to allow the city to resupply.

"With so many state transportation officials heading east to East Texas to clean up debris on the road, it is unlikely that we will be able to contraflow any traffic headed back toward the coast," Gov. Rick Perry said. "Be patient. Stay put. If you are in a safe place with food, water and bedding, you are better remaining there for the time being."

Tolls will not be charged on the Harris County Toll Road system through Tuesday in order to help with traffic. Tolls will return on Wednesday morning.

School districts have canceled classes to allow families to follow the reentry schedule. For an updated list of school closures in Houston and surrounding areas, click here.

Vehicles Stalled On Houston Highways Towed

Motorists whose vehicles stalled within Houston city limits as they evacuated southeast Texas before Hurricane Rita can call (713) 884-3131 to find out if their vehicle was towed and where it was taken.

Stalled cars abandoned on the freeway were towed away as part of the city's traffic plan known as SAFEClear.

SAFEClear tow trucks picked up 650 cars between Wednesday and Saturday at 7 a.m.

City officials said motorists whose vehicles were towed would be subject to the normal tow charges; however, they are trying to work out a deal to reimburse citizens for the tow charge.

Any motorist whose vehicle was towed is urged to keep his or her receipt.

The tow charge for the 50 vehicles picked up after 7 a.m. Saturday will be free.

City officials said some wreckers put $5 gas in some vehicles left on the freeway.

Gasoline Terminals Reopen In Houston Area

Shell Oil Co. and Motiva Enterprises LLC said Sunday that their North Houston and Pasadena distribution terminals were open to provide fuel for service stations in the Houston area, where widespread shortages occurred as residents fled Hurricane Rita.

The companies said the North Houston terminal reopened Saturday and had expected to supply at least 30 tankers or about 270,000 gallons of gasoline to area Shell stations.

The Pasadena terminal opened Saturday night, the companies said.

The companies said they would give priority to supplying fuel to locations used by emergency vehicles and those on main routes for residents returning to evacuated areas, including interstates 45 and 10 and U.S. Highway 290.