Monday storm updates: The latest news on Tropical Storms Laura, Marco
Tropical Storm Marco has pretty much fizzled but Laura is another story. Everyone along the Gulf Coast should be prepared and have a plan.
HOUSTON — The KHOU 11 weather team and National Hurricane Center are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.
Marco has lost a lot of punch as it moves toward the southwest Louisiana coast.
That isn’t the case with Laura, which poses a significant threat to either the upper Texas Coast or Louisiana. The most recent spaghetti models don’t agree on where Laura will make landfall, so everyone should be prepared and have a plan.
LATEST UPDATES
Aug. 24, 3:35 p.m. — Galveston County Judge Mark Henry says he anticipates a voluntary evacuation for Bolivar Peninsula Tuesday if the current models don’t change.
Aug. 24, 2:15 p.m. — Texas Governor Greg Abbott mobilized more than 70 members of the Texas Army and Air National Guard in response to Tropical Storms Marco and Laura.
Aug. 24, 2 p.m. — President Trump approved an emergency declaration for Texas. FEMA is available to help state and local agencies to areas that will be affected by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura to coordinate disaster relief efforts starting Monday. The declaration includes Aransas, Bexar, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Willacy counties.
1:38 p.m. — City of Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown has issued a voluntary evacuation for residents living in low-lying areas and west of the end of the Seawall in advance of Tropical Storm Laura, effective 1 p.m. Monday.
12:47 p.m. — Brazosport ISD is closing schools on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There will be no classes for virtual at home learners or at school learners on these closure dates. Other school closures will be posted here.
Aug. 24, 12:33 p.m. — Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia issued a county-wide disaster declaration in advance of Tropical Storm Marco and Tropical Storm Laura’s landfall, expected later this week. There is currently no evacuation order for Chambers County.
Aug. 24, 11:30 a.m. — Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie announced Monday he is calling for a mandatory city-wide evacuation beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, August 25. Mayor Bartie originally announced a voluntary evacuation of Sabine Pass, Saturday, August 22.
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