Newton County has called for voluntary evacuation of persons from the unincorporated areas of Newton County in low lying areas of the Sabine river.

In addition, county court in Newton County has been canceled for Tuesday, Aug.29.

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Shelter opens in Port Arthur

The City of Port Arthur and The American Red Cross have opened the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur as an available shelter. Currently, there is no mandatory evacuation for Port Arthur, according to information from the city.

• Absolutely no alcohol is permitted
• Firearms are NOT permitted
• 18 years and older MUST have a valid state issued form of identification
• Remember to bring any medications and testing supplies that may be needed
• Clothing will not be provided/distributed
• Basic toiletries will be provided
• Food will be provided (we cannot accommodate special diet needs)
• Infant formula and baby food is NOT available

Please travel carefully to the Civic Center to seek shelter. Water covering roadways is extremely dangerous, and we urge everyone to exercise extreme caution when driving.

The National Weather Service continues to monitor Tropical Storm Harvey as it moves off the central Texas coast, enters Gulf waters and makes landfall again on the upper Texas coast Wednesday morning. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Jefferson County and western Cameron Parish. A tropical storm watch is in effect for eastern Cameron Parish and Vermilion Parish. Wind gusts of 30-40 mph near the coast is expected in the watch and warning areas during the strongest thunderstorms.

The largest threat continues to be rain and floods. The area is expecting an additional 10-15 inches of rain in Southeast Texas and Southwestern Louisiana.

 

The City continues to work with our federal, state and local partners to assess the storm. For continuous updates please visit www.portarthurtx.gov.

In addition, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has provided a list of shelters that are available for displaced citizens from floodwaters in Jefferson County.

• Salvation Army at 2350 I-10 Frontage Road Beaumont. Must bring Identification for admission.
• Beaumont Civic Center at 701 Main Street Beaumont Texas. They are accepting walk-ins and you must have Identifications.

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Mandatory evacuation order for Bevil Oaks, Northwest Forest subdivisions in Jefferson County

12 p.m., Aug. 28

MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER

I, Jeff R. Branick, duly elected Judge of Jefferson County, based on most recent information received from the National Weather Service and further having received reports from law enforcement of residents in harm’·s way who are refusing to leave their homes, pursuant to the Disaster Declaration of August 24, 2017 for Hurricane Harvey, do hereby order a mandatory evacuation for the Bevil Oaks and Northwest Forest subdivisions of Jefferson County, Texas. This order is to be effective at/:J S/a.m., August 28, 2017, for Jefferson County, under the authority granted me by Section 418.108 (f) of the Government Code. By this same authority, I hereby exempt the following classes of individuals from such mandatory evacuation Order:

 

1. Those employees of oil terminals, pipelines and oil supply facilities that are essential for and who are actively involved in the transportation and receiving of oil and supplies in Jefferson County refining and petrochemical facilities and such other employees who are deemed essential to the operation of refining and petrochemical facilities by their employer.

2. Those employees of hospitals, trauma centers, nursing homes, convalescent facilities or other healthcare providers who are essential for and who are actively involved in providing medical treatment and/or housing for persons who are ill or infirm and who are not evacuated .

3. Those employees of Federal, State, and Local Governments, Political Subdivisions, and Special Purpose Districts who are deemed essential by their employer.

This Order shall remairi in full force and effect for a period of 10 days from the effective time noted hereinabove , unless extended or earlier terminated .

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Local H.E.B. stores to close at 3 p.m. today (Aug. 28)

The status of H.E.B. stores remains subject to change as the weather conditions affect them. To stay current with store closings and re-openings throughout the path of the storm, visit heb.com/disaster or follow us on Facebook at HEB Emergency Preparedness and on Twitter @HEB and @HEBPrepared.

The stores in Port Arthur, Groves and the one on FM 365 are expected to close at 3 p.m.

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10:10 a.m. Aug. 28

From the city of Port Neches

This is an update on Tropical Storm Harvey. Please contact Port Neches Emergency Management at 722-5885 if you have water in your home. We continue to see significant rainfall. I will be providing an update later today for rain updates.

CLOSURE: Central Mall is closed due to heavy rain and flooding.

9 a.m. Aug. 28:

Sheriff’s office urges drivers to stay off the streets, if possible:

Due to the flood water from TS Harvey, many Jefferson County roads, IH10 and service roads are impassable. Some county roadways are covered in several feet of water.

Cars are flooded out, leaving people stranded. Deputies are working diligently to get to these motorists however; they may not be able to reach them in a timely manner. Jefferson County Commissioners have personnel out putting up and replacing barricades. Do not go around a barricade.

Waters rose significantly over night. If you find yourself in your home surrounded by high water, please do not try to drive through it to get out. If you need to evacuate your home but can’t get out, call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 409-835-8411 or 911. We can assist you.

Please, DO NOT try to drive in this flood. There are several sections of IH10 that are impassable at this time. You will be turned around and potentially stranded for hours. The exit ramps and service roads are flooded.

Avoid driving on the roadways. The wake from your vehicle, no matter how slow you go, can push water into homes and businesses that otherwise may not flood.

 

8:49 a.m. Aug. 28:

Groves folks:

please contact Groves Emergency Management if you received water in your home. call 960-5768 or 962-4460. Groves PD will be issuing citations to drivers who drive on flooded roads causing water to enter homes.

 

8 15 a.m. AUg. 28:

 

From the city:

This is the City of Port Arthur. South Hwy 87 from the ICC Bridge to Sabine Pass has been shut down due to water over the roadway.