Based on an 11 a.m. conference call with the National Weather Service, Kemah Mayor Terri Gale has enacted a mandatory evacuation order for the city. The service is predicting a 5-10-foot storm surge, and winds ranging from 60-105 MPH along with rain could hinder later transportation in flood-prone areas, according to a news release.
Additionally, Clear Lake Shores is under a mandatory evacuation as of noon Aug. 25. Evacuations should be complete before noon Aug. 26.
No evacuation has been ordered for Webster.
Upate 1:45 p.m. Aug. 25
League City Mayor Pat Hallisey has enacted a local state of disaster and a voluntary evacuation order for all of League City. Those in low-lying areas along Clear Lake, Clear Creek and Dickinson Bayou and residents with medical needs are encouraged to evacuate.
League City buildings and facilities will be closed 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25 through Aug. 31. This includes City Hall, municipal court buildings, Helen Hall Library and all city parks. The city's public works and public safety workers will continue to operate.
The League City City Council meeting scheduled for Aug. 25 has been rescheduled to Sept. 1.
Additionally, the voluntary evacuation order for Seabrook has expanded from residents in low-lying areas to the whole city.
Original story
Officials in Seabrook and Nassau Bay have issued voluntary evacuations for residents as Tropical Storm Laura was upgraded to a hurricane the morning of Aug. 25.
Seabrook Mayor Thom Kolupski issued the order for low-lying areas, specifically lower Todville Road from Red Bluff Road south to Hwy. 146 and Baywood Drive. These areas are prone to storm surge and flooding, and the National Weather Service expects 2 to 4 feet of storm surge in Seabrook based on Laura's track, according to a city news release.
Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman also issued a voluntary evacuation recommendation for the city's most vulnerable residents, including those disabled and with medical needs, according to a post on the city's website.
Meanwhile, the city of Galveston has a mandatory evacuation order in effect. Residents are required to spend up to Wednesday morning securing their homes, businesses and other properties and then evacuating to safety, according to a post on the city's Facebook page.
Laura is expected to be a category 3 major hurricane with up to 75 MPH winds. It is expected to make landfall late Wednesday or early Tuesday near the Texas and Louisiana border, putting the Bay Area on the western edge of the hurricane's path, according to the National Weather Service.
