Several Texas State Parks along the coast closing due to Hurricane Laura

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Several Texas State Parks along the coast are closing in response to Hurricane Laura, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The department announced the closure of the parks in a post on its Facebook page Tuesday, warning its followers to stay updated and follow all local orders when it comes to Hurricane Laura.

The National Hurricane Center expects Laura to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday, predicting it will come ashore as Category 4 hurricane with a 20-foot storm surge. The storm grew nearly 70 percent in power in just 24 hours to a size the National Hurricane Center called “extremely dangerous.”

READ ALSO: Hurricane Laura evacuees are starting to arrive in San Antonio. Here’s what happens next.

So far, the parks that have closed are the following: Brazos Bend State Park; Galveston Island State Park; Huntsville State Park; Lake Livingston State Park; Martin Dies, Jr. State Park; Sea Rim State Park; Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center; Stephen F. Austin State Park and Village Creek State Park.

According to the TPWD’s website, the parks are closed due to possible hazardous weather and will reopen, weather permitting, on Sunday or Monday.

TPWD also urges all hunters to contact hunting areas before heading out to their destinations. It also noted to never attempt to cross flooded roadways.

For more information on local evacuation orders and hurricane preparedness, visit gov.texas.gov/hurricane.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre