Mandatory Evacuation Order in Effect

A mandatory evacuation of Jefferson, Orange and Hardin Counties took effect at 6 a.m. Sunday.

The evacuation in Jefferson County will be phased in to include Sabine Pass residents at 6 a.m., Port Arthur residents at 8 a.m, Mid-County residents at 10 a.m. and Beaumont residents at noon.  

Beaumont residents who need to be evacuated and can't do so on their own can call 880-3905.  Buses are transporting people from West Brook High School north to the Lufkin area.  

The transportation operation for evacuation out of Port Arthur at the Robert "Bob" Bowers Civic Center will cease at 8:00 PM tonight, Sunday, August 31, 2008.

This transportation operation will be re-evaluated by city officials in the morning to determine if this operation will resume on Monday, September, 1, 2008.

     Citizens should continue monitoring their local news channels as information is updated.

    Tyler County has issued a call for a voluntary evacuation.   

Hardin County Judge Billy Caraway has issued a mandatory evacuation for all Hardin County residents beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30. This order will remain in effect until it is deemed safe for citizens to return.
Residents should use Hwy. 96 North, Hwy. 69 North and FM 92 North. Emergency Management personnel from state and local governments have worked dilligently since Hurricane Rita to improve evacuation preparations, including fuel availability along the route. Residents can still register with 2-1-1 for evacuation assistance, and those unable to evacuate on their own are encouraged to do so. Silsbee Middle School is the evacuation hub.
Residents who need more information or have questions should call Hardin County Emergency Management at 246-5119. 

If you are planning on evacuating and you need information on hotel accommodations the link is www.tacvbemergency.net.

      Citizens should be aware that at 6:00 a.m. Sunday, August 31, 2008 when the Mandatory Evacuation is initiated, the State traffic plan will be implemented. I-10 traffic eastbound and westbound will not be able to exit the interstate in many parts of Jefferson and Orange County.

 Mandatory Evacuation

•1.       Due to HURRICANE GUSTAV, the County Judge/ Mayors, under Texas law, has issued the following mandatory evacuation for those who live, work, or are visiting in Orange County effective 6:00 AM, August 31, 2008.

•2.      Immediately 211 registries should embark to their destination locations of: Vidor Elementary School, Hwy 90 and Lamar Student Center, Orange.

•3.       Orange County area's should following the recommended evacuation routes:

            STATE HWY 87 N.

            FM 105 N. TO HWY 96

            HWY 62 N. TO HWY 96

•4.       Be sure to take essential items such as and be prepared to stay at least 5 days.

•·         prescription medicines

•·         eyeglasses

•·         baby supplies

•·         personal care items

•·         identification cards

•·         checkbook and credit cards

•·         valuable papers

•5.       Take your pets with you along with 3-5 days worth of food for your pet, and make sure you bring vaccination records, a leash, crate, or cage for them.  Remember some shelters will not accept pets

•6.      Decide where you will stay until the emergency situation is resolved.  Staying with relatives or friends or in a hotel or motel is a good choice.

•7.      If you have no means of transportation or if you are physically unable to evacuate on your own and have not registered with 211, contact 670-4125.

•8.      If you know of any neighbors or co-workers with hearing or language problems or special needs, please advise them of this message.  And if you have neighbors or co-workers who need help or do not have transportation, offer to assist them if you can.

•9.      ALL AREAS OF ORANGE COUNTY are encouraging general population to evacuate voluntary today. 

___________________________________                       __________________________

Jeff Kelley, Emergency Manager                         Carl Thibodeaux, Orange County Judge

                                                     SOUTHEAST TEXAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
                                                              EVACUATION ADVISORY

     There is much confusion in the community in reference to 211 registration and evacuation.  If you have already registered with 211 and you have no medical or physical disability preventing you from getting to your local assembly site, you should proceed there beginning at noon.  If you have not registered and can get to an assembly site, proceed there beginning at noon.  If you have confirmation with local authorities that you will be picked up at your residence due to your disability, you are asked to be packed and be ready.

BEAUMONT EVACUATION INFORMATION

The main assembly points are:
Amelia Elementary School- 565 S. Major Drive
Dunbar Elementary School - 825 Jackson
French Elementary School - 3525 Cleveland
Martin Elementary School - 3500 Pine
Martin Luther King Middle School - 1400 Avenue A
South Park Middle School - 4500 Highland Avenue
Ozen High School - 3443 Fannett Rd
Smith Middle School - 4415 Concord
West Brook High School, 8750 Phelan Blvd. - Main site

if you qualify for transportation and have not registered with 211, call 880-3905. 

PORT ARTHUR EVACUATION INFORMATION

For the City of Port Arthur, the staging area will be the Robert "Bob" Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center Drive, adjacent to the Port Arthur Library. All Special Needs persons should attempt to arrange their own transportation to the Civic Center Staging Area.  Any Special Needs persons needing transportation to the staging area must call the Port Arthur Transit Center at 409-983-8794 beginning at 9:00 AM on Saturday to arrange for pickup. Specific departure times from the Civic Center are impossible to determine.

HARDIN COUNTY EVACUATION INFORMATION

Hardin County, as per Judge Caraway, is also calling for an evacuation of all Special Needs persons and Nursing Homes beginning at 12:00 Noon, Saturday.  The main assembly site for Hardin County will be the Silsbee Middle School located on Hwy 327.  For more information call 246-5119. 

PORT NECHES EVACUATION INFORMATION

Port Neches citizens who need a ride and have not registered with 211 need to call 722-5885.

ORANGE COUNTY SPECIAL NEEDS ASSEMBLY POINTS:   VIDOR ELEMENTARY - HWY 90 LAMAR STUDENT CENTER - ORANGE

Citizens in Orange County who have not registered with 211 and still need transportation need to call 670-4125.

GROVES EVACUATION INFORMATION

Groves citizens who need a ride and have not registered with 211 need to call 960-5768.

NEDERLAND EVACUATION INFORMATION

Nederland citizens who need a ride and have not registered with 211 need to call 723-1531.

JEFFERSON COUNTY EVACUATION

County residents are asked to go to West Brook High School if the need transportation out of the area.  If they do not have transportation to Westbrook they should call 835-8757.  
    
Citizens are allowed one suitcase per person.  Citizens will need to provide a photo ID to get registered.  They will then be transported to a safe shelter North of the Southeast Texas area. 

     Information concerning evacuating animals - All animals must be either in a pet carrier or muzzled.  They are all required to have a leash.  These rules are in place to protect the citizens as well as the animals.  No lizards or snakes allowed.