FYI Only- Anyone travelling to Texas, specifically to the Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula areas should be aware that mandatory bus evacuations are underway regarding tropical storms. As there are also orders to be off the streets by 8:00 P.M. central time tomorrow, vehicles with high wind profiles should be especially cautious and tune in to local news stations or use Internet sources to preview Governor Abbott's decree. Landfall for the second of two storms is expected 8/26 or sooner. As always, emergency responders are reminded that checkpoints may be employed for reason of identification.
Further updates: Kemah and Port Arthur are also under mandatory evacuation orders, with Port Arthur ( population roughly 60,000 ) almost completely evacuated- some city workers and homeowners remain. Tropical Storm Laura is expected to involve winds as high as 130 MPH and storm surge as high as 10 feet in selected low areas of East Texas and Western Lousianna. Many cities have 10 P.M. kerfews in effect. Those homeowners who remain have been advised that many city services will be unavailable. Galveston area residents who accepted bus transportation are expected to be moved to Austin. Port Arthur residents who accepted bus transportation were moved to Walker county. The bus transportation was provided for those who did not have an alternative. Many homeowners are moving North along highways 3 and 45 in accordance with planned evacuation routes or to weather the storm with relatives at higher elevations above sea level. At last count, 36 counties had some emergency notifications in effect. Many models expect that the center of landfall may be Port Arthur, moving north toward Livingston, thence Northeast into Northern Louisiana. As of 8/25 at 9:00 P.M., the western edge of the swath is expected to be on a line just west of highway 45 which would include The Woodlands and parts of Conroe in Montgomery County. Low lying areas in Brazoria County and much of Harris County are included. - Repeat- many cities have 10:00 P.M. kerfews, and checkpoints are expected. Most beaches are blocked for vehicular traffic, yet pedestrian traffic was allowed today. As previously stated, high winds are expected- thus homeowners are asked to consider securing lawn furniture and other items.
Updates: 35 ft. waves were associated with Tropical Storm Laura. Harris county zip codes 77058, 77059, 77062 ( memory aid- 58,59,62 match RG-58,59,62 cables often found at hamfests ) are expected to be most affected. An 8:00 P.M. vehicular kerfew for Harris county ( includes Houston ) will take effect today, 8/26/2020. Flooding to 35 or 40 miles from the coastline is anticipated for locations to the east of Houston, which means that some areas of Highway 10 may be slowed or stopped. While Kemah is under mandatory evacuation, Seabrook is voluntary.
They do, yet some folks prefer to read ( old-fashioned- I know ) just the details needed for their specific travel destinations. The local news media is good about 'staying local', thus folks who had planned to visit 'after COVID dies down' may have been looking elsewhere. Sometimes a cellular phone has a poor signal ( as in, while on a bus ). Other folks may only be able to read with braille devices or camera enlargement systems. The evacuations by bus are limited to 20 persons per bus, because health still is a big concern. I have no idea whether or not the American Red Cross or other folks are providing 'health and welfare' communications for those trying to reach those poor souls who must ride a bus. Many of the charities have had to slash parts of their budgets due to the health crisis and employment effects.
I would expect that they and custodians for the new ( WW2 era ) flight museum will be hoping for sand bags and looking for sump pump issues. The Lone Star museum had just moved north from Galveston, to try to save the old 'warbirds'. Uncles and Grandfathers who flew between 1930 and 1950 are fewer in number, and sometimes less able to help. Maybe others from Post 490 will.
