Did Katy, Texas have a mandatory evacuation because of Hurricane Ike?
Hundreds of thousands of Houston-area residents fled their coastal homes today after officials — alarmed as massive Hurricane Ike muscled its way across the Gulf of Mexico to Texas — ordered mandatory evacuations. Areas targeted for evacuation were Galveston Island, Chambers and Brazoria counties and portions of Harris County adjoining Galveston Bay. Even as the Category 2 hurricane, packing 100 mph winds, churned more than 400 miles away from Texas, Gov. Rick Perry underscored the seriousness of the situation. “It’s a big storm,” he said in an Austin press conference. “I cannot over-emphasize the danger that is facing us.” Ike is expected to cross the coast between 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett ordered evacuations of low-lying areas bearing the ZIP codes 77507, 77058, 77059, 77520, 77546,77571, 77586 and 77598. Residents who have registered for assistance in evacuating by previously telephoning 211 will be contacted to arrange their departure. Those
Mandatory Evacuations Ordered Chambers County called for a mandatory evacuation for the low-lying areas of the county beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Galveston city officials issued a mandatory evacuation for residents on the West End only starting at 7 a.m. Thursday. Shelters will be set up for the residents on Friday at noon, but their locations have not yet been finalized. About 10,000 people live on Galveston’s West End. Anyone on the West End needing assistance evacuating should call 409-797-3723. The Bolivar Ferry is expected to stop operating at about 11 p.m. Thursday. Galveston City Council declared the city a disaster area and Jamaica Beach has declared a state of emergency. “The greatest threat I believe that Galveston will experience is a high tidal surge,” Galveston City Manager Steve LeBlanc said. “We expect tides in the order of 4 to 8 feet. The west end of the island, which is not protected by the seawall, could experience some significant flooding.” “We just want to b
