With the path of Tropical Storm Laura still uncertain as it approaches the Gulf, these counties and areas have issued voluntary evacuations to make sure their residents are prepared ahead of its landfall.
GALVESTON COUNTY
Update as of 2 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2020
Galveston County issued a mandatory evacuation for the Bolivar Peninsula.
If you need help, you can call the non-emergency line at 409-766-2322.
A voluntary evacuation order has been issued for the bayshore areas of unincorporated Galveston County, including San Leon and Bacliff as well as Freddiesville along Highway 6.
A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for residents in LaMarque who live outside the levee ring. The order is voluntary for residents inside the levee ring.
In Dickinson and League City, the evacuation order is voluntary. The evacuation order for residents in Kemah is mandatory.
Galveston also has a curfew in effect:
Wednesday, August 26 at 8:00 pm until Thursday, August 27 at 6:00 am;
Thursday, August 27 at 8:00 pm until Friday, August 28 at 6:00 am.
BRAZORIA COUNTY
Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta has issued a voluntary evacuation for low-lying coastal communities outside the protection levee.
All residents are urged to continue to watch Hurricane Laura closely for track changes.
The county will also provide updates on social media and its website.
CHAMBERS COUNTY
The county has issued a mandatory evacuation order specifically targeted at residents whose homes are in low-lying or flood prone areas, or those whose homes have flooded during recent high-rain events.
A curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday night until 6 a.m. Thursday morning.
HARRIS COUNTY
In the City of Seabrook, a voluntary evacuation was issued for residents and businesses in low-lying areas in Seabrook, specifically lower Todville from Red Bluff south to SH 146 and Baywood Drive.
City of Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman has issued a voluntary evacuation recommendation for Nassau Bay's most vulnerable residents including the disabled and those with medical needs.
City of Baytown recommended a voluntary evacuation of two zip codes: 77520 and 77523.
If you don't live near water, leaders said you should still get prepared.
"If you're not in an evacuation zone, be prepared to self-sustain yourself for about five days in case we do get a worst case scenario," said deputy coordinator for the Harris County Office of Emergency Management, Francisco Sanchez.
Due to the pandemic, several items, such as masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes have been added to the list of must-have items.
Since Tropical Storm Laura continues to change its direction, leaders urge residents to take this event seriously, and be prepared to evacuate.
"Anytime we have a potential for a major hurricane to approach the Houston, Galveston region, we need to be very concerned," said Sanchez.
Stay updated on daily forecasts and severe weather updates on ABC13's weather page.
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