CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE EVACUATION PLANS.

SEC. 10204. CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE EVACUATION PLANS. (a) In General.—The Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security (referred to in this section as the “Secretaries”), in coordination with the Gulf Coast States and contiguous States, shall jointly review and assess Federal and State evacuation plans (including the costs of the plans) for catastrophic hurricanes and other catastrophic events impacting the Gulf Coast Region and report its findings and recommendations to Congress. (b) Consultation.—In carrying out this section, the Secretaries shall consult with appropriate Federal, State, parish, county, and municipal transportation and emergency management agencies. (c) Contents.—In conducting the review, the Secretaries shall consider, at a minimum— (1) all safe and practical modes of transportation available for evacuations; (2) the extent to which evacuation plans are coordinated with neighboring States and adjoining jurisdictions; (3) methods of communicating evacuation plans and preparing citizens in advance of evacuations; (4) methods of coordinating communication with evacuees during plan execution; (5) the availability of food, water, restrooms, fueling stations, and shelter opportunities along the evacuation routes; (6) the time required to evacuate under the plan; and (7) the physical and mental strains associated with the evacuation. (d) Report.—The Secretaries shall submit to Congress a report of their findings under this section and recommendations not later than October 1, 2006.