Mayor of Galveston Has Issued Mandatory Evacuation for Island

With the strengthening of Tropical Storm Laura to a Category 1 Hurricane, the city of Galveston has issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents.

As reported by ABC 13 Eyewitness News, the City of Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown signed the evacuation order, instructing residents to begin leaving the island for safety after overnight models shifted Laura's track westward.

The order went into effect at 6 this morning.

Residents of Galveston should secure loose items on their property and leave the island with all family members and pets by 12 p.m.

Beaumont-area counties have also issued a mandatory evacuation ahead of Hurricane Laura. 

A hurricane watch has been posted from San Luis Pass, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana, and also extends inland to include parts of the eastern Houston metro, Beaumont and Port Arthur, Texas, Lake Charles and Lafayette, Louisiana. This means tropical storm conditions (winds 40 mph or greater) are possible in these areas by Wednesday afternoon and hurricane conditions (winds greater than 74 mph) are possible by late Wednesday.

Currently, Hurricane Luara has sustained winds at 75 MPH and was upgraded to a category 1 around 715 this morning.

 Some models are predicting that Laura could make landfall as a major category 3 hurricane tomorrow evening.

As for the Crossroads area, there will be minimal effects from Hurricane Laura, we might see a little rain and elevated winds.

Tomorrow's forecast for Victoria has a 50% chance of rain with winds around 20 MPH and a high of 95 degrees, 

Thursday's forecast for Victoria has a 20% chance for rain with winds 10-15 MPH AND a high of 99

Just because we are out of the cone of probability doesn't mean the forecast cannot change.  Please stay informed.