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Galveston county and city residents are preparing for the advance of Hurricane Rita. Voluntary evacuations are underway and a mandatory evacuation goes into effect at six tonight.
The Home Depot on Galveston Island is out of plywood and most other hurricane readiness items. Don Laney is a resident of Clear Lake and this was the only spot he could find a generator still in stock. He says Hurricane Katrina has made him and his wife more cautious.
The devastation in Louisiana has opened many eyes along the Texas Gulf Coast. Tracy Deltz is the manager of Benno’s Restaurant on the Seawall. He’s been working there since before Hurricane Alicia hit in 1983 and he thinks Galveston residents are too complacent when it comes to hurricanes.
Galveston residents have until six-o-clock this evening to voluntarily evacuate, after that City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Jaworski says they won’t have a choice.
There are about 58,000 permanent residents on Galveston Island. Another 20,000 temporary residents will also need to evacuate. This is the first time the state will implement the new mandatory evacuation and City Public Information Officer Mary Jo Naschke says those who refuse to leave the island are taking a big risk.
Galveston schools and city offices are closed today.
