Refugio County has initiated a mandatory evacuation for all its residents as Tropical Storm Beryl is set to make landfall on the Texas coast in the imminent days. This precautionary measure has been issued as part of the Hurricane Watch Advisory, with the county's history of recovery from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 prompting a cautious approach by officials. Residents were alerted via a statement obtained by KSAT, with County Judge Jhiela "Gigi" Poynter highlighting the need to act preemptively due to limited emergency service capability once winds hit 45 miles per hour.
With the announcement also revealing that city water will be turned off to mitigate storm damage, residents have been urged to prepare to quickly leave the area. According to details shared on FOX San Antonio, the county will be offering buses to transport those in need to emergency shelters, with an advised report time at the Refugio County Expo Center by 7:30 a.m. yesterday. Residents without transport can contact the county's emergency management at 361-526-2820 for assistance. Those opting to stay or evacuate are being asked to provide details through a survey that collects addresses and household numbers.
In preparation for the evacuations, Refugio County Judge Jhiela "Gigi" Poynter has urged the community not to panic, while also informing that the buses will move evacuees to Laredo due to "what is available to us." She expressed concerns to KSAT about the county's limited capacity exacerbated by the expected exodus. Additionally, the shutdown of the water supply and the redirection of hospital patients as the storm hits were communicated as part of the county's effort to minimize damage and prioritize safety.
For further information regarding the evacuation order and preparation, residents are directed to follow up-to-date announcements from local news sources and official county communications. The impact of Tropical Storm Beryl is being monitored closely, and the county is poised to continue offering support and updates to ensure the welfare of the community as the situation evolves.
