Evacuations are starting:

Texas: Brazoria County

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for zip zone 77541, a special needs evacuation order is in place for the entire county. A voluntary evacation is in place for the entire county. Residents in the coastal areas and those requiring transportation from Brazoria county to Bell County must rush their preparations to completion.

Galveston County:

A voluntary evacuation will begin this afternoon for Bolivar Peninsula... The west end of Galveston Island, including Jamaica Beach, San Leon, Bacliff, Bayou Vista, Omega Bay.... Tiki Island...Dickinson...Kemah...and Clear Lake Shores.

Citizens may also consider evacuation if they live in low-lying areas subject to flooding or in mobile homes. If you decide to evacuate... please remember to pack your disaster kit and important papers.

The Galveston-Bolivar ferry will likely cease operations at 11PM Thursday night.

Jackson County:

A voluntary Evacuation has been initiated for the entire county.

Matagorda County:

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for people who live and work south of Highway 355.

This mandatory evacuation includes the communities of Palacios, Ashby-Buckeye, El Maton, Collegeport, Matagorda, Wadsworth, Sargent, Cedar Lane, Chinquapin, Tres Palacios Oaks, and Tidewater Oaks.

Blessing is also included in the mandatory evacuation even though it is north of highway 35. The mandatory evacuation does not include Bay City or Van Vleck.