Voluntary Evacuations Issued For Bolivar Peninsula Ahead Of Tropical Storm Beta

The Saturday morning forecast of Tropical Storm Beta from the National Hurricane Center.

Galveston County officials are asking residents of zip codes 77623, 77617, and 77650 to evacuate ahead of Tropical Storm Beta.

The evacuation began 9:00 a.m. Saturday and runs through Thursday at 12:00 p.m.

The storm is expected to be a “long duration rainfall event,” according to the National Hurricane Center. Galveston County officials expect high wind speeds or storm surge to disrupt ferry service to Bolivar Peninsula and flooding to make State Highway 87 impassable.

Residents with medical needs, seniors, and people who cannot wait multiple days for emergency services were especially encouraged to seek shelter further inland.

Forecasters expect Tropical Storm Beta to intensify to a minimal hurricane before weakening and tracking slowly up the Texas coast. A Saturday morning update from the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office put the most likely arrival time of tropical-storm-force winds on Sunday night.

Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected to begin Saturday night lasting through the middle of next week, leaving some roads and low-lying areas flooded.

Rainfall totals are still uncertain, and largely depend on whether the storm tracks east or west. A shift eastward would mean less rain, while a westward track would bring heavy rain further inland.

Tropical Storm Beta Voluntary Evacuation Order Bolivar Peninsula SIGNED (PDF)

Tropical Storm Beta Voluntary Evacuation Order Bolivar Peninsula SIGNED (Text)