GALVESTON, Texas — Yellow flags that flew Monday on Galveston beaches could soon turn red as rough weather may be ahead.
Galveston Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis said his team has spent the last two days preparing for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Laura, including removing large lifeguard stands.
"We’re actually planning for the worst-case scenario and if, you know, it all becomes a tabletop exercise, it’s a learning opportunity," Davis said. "But at least we’re not putting lives at risk.”
The City of Galveston issued a voluntary evacuation order for folks who live west of the Seawall or in low-lying areas.
And Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, who issued a disaster declaration, said Bolivar Peninsular residents should expect the same on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, about 300 individuals in at least two Galveston senior living facilities are being relocated to San Antonio as a precaution.
"Kind of one of those things," contractor John Grubbs said.
He said his company has gotten a wave of calls from residents needing help battening down their homes.
"Everybody is doing it as fast as they possibly can with the storms coming through, especially Laura,” Grubbs said.
Vacationers said they’re not overly concerned, but the city said anyone who doesn’t live or work on the island should go home.
Resident Stacy Fowler isn't panicked yet.
"We’re waiting to see how intense it is," Fowler said. "If it’s a little (Category) 1, we might try to ride it out. If it gets to be a (Category) 3, (I'm) heading to Houston.”
Emergency officials advised everyone to follow orders so they can better manage things if something beyond a voluntary evacuation is needed.
"We’re hoping that people will heed the warning because the strength and speed of the storm are going to cause some problems with us being able to get out later,” City of Galveston emergency management coordinator Mark Morgan said.
Galveston businesses and hotels hard hit by COVID-19 consider this another potential setback, but they’re hoping the impact will be minimal.
Bolivar Peninsula
“It’s paradise," said Barry Scheffler, who lives in Deer Park, but has a weekend home in Bolivar.
He’s owned it for five years and said he’s been lucky.
“This is the first one. Had a few pass by, close calls, but none hit," he said.
It’s too early to know if Laura will hit directly, but tourists we talked to weren’t sticking around to find out.
“We’ve got water, we’ve got food, so I think we are set," said Brenda Sutton, on her way back home to Beaumont.
To make sure people along the coast are able to evacuate if needed, the state is sending 50 buses to the Galveston area.
“The idea is where we used to put 50 people on a bus, now we will go down to 15 people on a bus so we can make sure we have the adequate social distancing," said Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Waiting in line for the ferry, Scheffler said he hopes it’s not needed.
“I hope it misses us, I don’t want to blame anything on anyone else but I hope it doesn’t come here," he said.
Henry said he’ll make the call on voluntary evacuations for Bolivar Tuesday morning. He warned residents, if they stay, they need to have enough food and water to last until Saturday, because he may not be able to get emergency services like fire trucks and ambulances to the residents.