UPDATE: Judge Mark Henry has extended voluntary evacuations to include all unincorporated low-lying areas in Galveston County. This includes the communities of San Leon, Bacliff, Freddiesville, Old Bayou Vista and Highland Bayou. Bolivar Peninsula also remains under a voluntary evacuation.

State of Texas

County of Galveston                                     

TROPICAL STORM HARVEY 2017: ORDER OF VOLUNTARY EVACUATION FROM

UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS ON BOLIVAR PENINSULA BEGINNING

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 AT 8:00 A.M.

 

Whereas, on this, the 24th day of August, 2017, Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to make landfall along the Texas coast, with extremely heavy rainfall, tropical storm force winds, and high tides, thereby endangering the health and safety of persons and property within Galveston County, Texas;

 

Whereas, unincorporated areas of Galveston County on Bolivar Peninsula are expected to be impassable due to heavy rains, storm surge, or coastal flooding;

 

Whereas, ferry service to and from Bolivar Peninsula may be temporarily closed due to wind speed or storm surge and State Highway 87, the only evacuation route, is expected to become impassable due to flooding;

 

Whereas, a local state of disaster for Galveston County has been declared; and

 

Whereas, the County Judge is authorized under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Texas to take such actions the County Judge considers necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, and recovery.

 

that:

Now Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED by the County Judge of Galveston County, Texas,

 

 

1.)        The County Judge FINDS that a VOLUNTARY EVACUATION of persons from the unincorporated areas of Galveston County, Texas, on BOLIVAR PENINSULA is necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery;

 

2.)        A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION of persons from the unincorporated areas of Galveston County, Texas, located on BOLIVAR PENINSULA is hereby ORDERED; these areas correspond to the unincorporated areas of Galveston County located in the following Zip Codes:  77623, 77617, and 77650;

 

3.)        Unless any other order is issued to the contrary, this VOLUNTARY EVACUATION

issued herein SHALL BEGIN ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.;

 

4.)        The issuance of this VOLUNTARY EVACUATION shall NOT preclude the County Judge from taking further actions the County Judge considers necessary for the preservation

 

of life or other disaster mitigation, response, or recovery, including but not limited to issuing an order for mandatory evacuation;

 

5.)        This ORDER shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk of Galveston County, Texas; and

 

6.)        This ORDER shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance. It is hereby ORDERED on this, the 24th day of August, 2017.