Fayette County Emergency Planners Meet Ahead of Hurricane Harvey

Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka called a meeting of emergency responders and other stakeholders on Thursday, Aug. 24, ahead of Hurricane Harvey's landfall.

According to Fayette County Emergency Manager Janet Carrigant, Hurricane Harvey continues to strengthen and is anticipated to reach category 3 before it hits landfall.  Preparations are being made to evacuate folks from the coast from Port Mansfield to High Island and will be sheltered in San Antonio. 

Forecasters are predicting the storm to make landfall near Corpus Cristi possibly on Saturday morning. The storm could dump a foot or more of rain across central Texas.

At Thursday's meeting included representatives from all the law enforcement agencies in the county, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation and all four county commissioners. Janecka said the rains will likely flood low water crossings. He encouraged everyone to stay off the roads. 

Fayette County AgriLife agent Scott Willey advised farmers and ranchers  to move large farm equipment or livestock as quickly as possible today, so that automobile traffic is not on the road on Friday and Saturday. Also, landowners are advised to move livestock and equipment from low lying, flood prone areas in the event of torrential rainfall. Please stay informed of local conditions on the Fayette County EMS Facebook Page, and through other local news media outlets.

Watch Judge Janecka's opening remarks at the meeting:

Listen to the full meeting below: