Local Statement for BRAZORIA / CHAMBERS / GALVESTON / HARRIS / JACKSON

BRAZORIA / CHAMBERS / GALVESTON / HARRIS / JACKSON
LIBERTY / MATAGORDA COUNTIES
12:38 PM CDT
WEDNESSDAY SEPTEMBER 10 2008

EVACUATIONS INITIATED FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS COASTAL COUNTIES

NEW INFORMATION

NEW EVACUATION INFORMATION FOR COASTAL COUNTIES OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS

AREAS AFFECTED

THIS STATEMENT RECOMMENDS ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY PERSONS IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES OR MARINE AREAS:

BRAZORIA / CHAMBERS / GALVESTON / HARRIS / JACKSON / LIBERTY / MATAGORDA

WATCHES / WARNINGS

NO ADDITIONAL HAZARDS ARE IN EFFECT.

PRECAUTIONARY / PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

CURRENT EVACUATION INFORMATION

BRAZORIA COUNTY

A MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR

ZIP ZONE 77541

A SPECIAL NEEDS EVACUATION ORDER IS IN PLACE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION IS IN PLACE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

RESIDENTS IN THE COASTAL AREAS AND THOSE REQUIRING TRANSPORTATION FROM BRAZORIA COUNTY TO BELL COUNTY MUST RUSH THEIR PREPARATIONS TO COMPLETION.

GALVESTON COUNTY

A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION WILL BEGIN THIS AFTERNOON FOR BOLIVAR PENINSULA THE WEST END OF GALVESTON ISLAND INCLUDING JAMAICA BEACH / SAN LEON / BACLIFF / BAYOU VISTA / OMEGA BAY / TIKI ISLAND / DICKINSON / KEMAH / CLEAR LAKE SHORES.

CITIZENS MAY ALSO CONSIDER EVACUATING IF THEY LIVE IN LOW-LYING AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING OR IN MOBILE HOMES.

IF YOU DECIDE TO EVACUATE PLEASE REMEMBER TO PACK YOUR DISASTER KIT AND IMPORTANT PAPERS.

THE GALVESTON-BOLIVAR FERRY WILL LIKELY CEASE OPERATIONS AT 11 PM THURSDAY NIGHT

JACKSON COUNTY

A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

MATAGORDA COUNTY

A MANDATORY EVACUATION HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 35.

THIS MANDATORY EVACUATION INCLUDES THE COMMUNITIES OF PALACIOS / ASHBY-BUCKEYE / EL MATON / COLLEGEPORT / MATAGORDA / WADSWORTH SARGENT / CEDAR LANE / CHINQUAPIN / TRES PALACIOS OAKS / TIDEWATER OAKS.

BLESSING IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE MANDATORY EVACUATION EVEN THOUGH IT IS NORTH OF HIGHWAY 35.

THE MANDATORY EVACUATION DOES NOT INCLUDE BAY CITY OR VAN VLECK.

IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU EVACUATE WITH YOUR PETS. BE SURE TO TAKE A PET CARRIER / LEASH / VACCINATION RECORDS / FOOD FOR YOUR PET.

IF YOU EVACUATE TO A SHELTER YOUR PETS WILL BE BOARDED AT A SEPARATE FACILITY.

IF YOU HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION OR CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO HELP YOU EVACUATE AND NEED ASSISTANCE YOU CAN CONTACT

( 979 ) 245 - 3056

( 979 ) 244 - 5318

RESIDENTS OF MATAGORDA COUNTY WHO NEED SHELTER CAN EVACUATE TO THE SHELTER HUB IN AUSTIN.

SIGNS IN AUSTIN WILL DIRECT EVACUEES TO OPEN SHELTERS

VEHICLES SUCH AS BOATS / 18 WHEELERS / TRAILERS / OR SECOND CARS CAN BE PARKED AT THE MATAGORDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.

IF YOU PARK YOUR PROPERTY THERE PLEASE BE AWARE IT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

THE SWING BRIDGES AT MATAGORDA AND SARGENT WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED AT 6 PM THURSDAY WHICH MEANS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS OVER THE BRIDGES PAST THAT TIME.

THE EVACUATIONS IN MATAGORDA COUNTY MUST BE COMPLETED BY 6 PM THURSDAY.

PUBLIC SERVICES WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THESE AREAS AFTER THIS TIME FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVENT.

PERSONS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVACUATION CAN CALL

( 979 ) 244 – 5318

STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE

THE FOLLOWING TIDE LEVELS ARE BASED ON THE CURRENT FORECAST TRACK AND FORECAST INTENSITY FOR HURRICANE IKE.

THE LEVELS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON ANY FUTURE CHANGES IN THE FORECAST.

IF THE TRACK SHIFTS EASTWARD THEN THESE LEVELS MAY BE INCREASED.

TIDE LEVELS WILL EXCEED 4 FEET ABOVE MEAN LOWER LOW WATER ALONG THE UPPER TEXAS COAST BEGINNING FRIDAY MORNING.

MAXIMUM TIDE LEVELS WILL OCCUR FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

MAXIMUM WATER LEVELS FORECAST:

SHORELINE OF MATAGORDA BAY - 12 TO 18 FEET

COASTAL AREAS FROM MATAGORDA TO SAN LUIS PASS - 7 TO 10 FEET

COASTAL AREAS OF GALVESTON AND CHAMBERS COUNTIES - 4 TO 8 FEET

SHORELINE OF GALVESTON BAY - 4 TO 8 FEET

WINDS

NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 15 TO 20 MPH INLAND 25 TO 35 MPH COAST BEGINNING LATE THURSDAY NIGHT.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL REACH THE UPPER TEXAS COAST FRIDAY MORNING.

NEXT UPDATE

THE NEXT HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 6 PM CDT.