ANGLETON, Texas— Brazoria County emergency management officials issued a mandatory evacuation order the county -- exluding Pearland and Alvin -- on Wednesday evening.

Emergency management officials in Pearland and Alvin said that only a special needs evacuation was called for in those two cities.

A voluntary evacuation continued Thursday for Pearland residents in flood-prone areas or residing in a non-sturdy or unstable structures.

"Residents who are planning to leave the area should do so as soon as possible. All residents should be aware that there are no public shelters in Pearland," said a statement from city officials.

The county’s order for evacuations went into effect at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. It included the coastal communities of Freeport, Quintana, Alvin, Surfside Beach, Angleton and Manvel.

Alvin evacuated special needs residents on Wednesday from the Alvin Independent School District Transportation Center.

Brazoria County Emergency Management Coordinator Kenneth "Doc" Adams on Wednesday said anyone who decides to stay will find that during the storm there will be times when they’re “absolutely on their own.” There will be no hospitals, emergency services or police in the area to help residents who stay behind, he said.

Emergency management officials said they decided to make the evacuation call because of the uncertain path of Hurricane Ike. Adams described the day leading up to the evacuation order as “frustrating.”

Brazoria County opened two transportation hubs to help evacuate special needs residents early Wednesday. Those hubs were located at Angleton Middle School and the West Columbia Civic Center in West Columbia.

Buses from those hubs took evacuees to a shelter in Belton. The buses were for residents who signed up for assistance through the state’s 211 phone system.

Leslie LaRue of Freeport evacuated because of her two children Hannah and Zack.

They boarded a bus at the West Columbia Civic Center.

“I’m kind of glad that we are getting out. It’s safer for them not waiting to the last minute,” said LaRue.

Many people who are evacuating are being allowed to evacuate with their pets to shelters.

Other coastal Brazoria County residents took heed of the evacuation order too.

“It’s not worth it (staying). It’s just too easy to board up. Pick up the things you need, get some food, water (and) leave,” said Quintana Beach resident Debbie Alongis. “If it doesn’t come – Hallelujah. If it does, you just want to be prepared and once it gets too bad you can’t leave.

“And we ain’t going to take that chance.”

Anyone who lives in Brazoria County and needs assistance to evacuate should call (979) 864-1064.

Beverly Bisso and her family boarded up their home on Beach Drive and left Wednesday morning.

“I get worried every time a storm comes close to us. This is our weekend house and we love it, it’s just a worry,” said Bisso.

Residents who evacuate on their own can go anywhere they feel they will be safe, said authorities.

The SPCA is evacuating more than 70 animals from shelters in Brazoria County to Houston facilities.

The SPCA also has 3,000 animal carriers ready in case more animals need to move.

Late Wednesday morning, TXDoT announced that it suspended all scheduled lane closures in the Houston district until further notice.