The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

ORANGE COUNTY:

Public officials are continuing to work to restore the community’s health and safety. At 5:30 pm today, the rescue and recovery efforts had been ongoing for eight hours. It is undetermined the number of residents from Orange County that have been rescued. Operations are ongoing and will continue into the night and days ahead.

Public Officials want to stress the importance of citizen’s to NOT re-enter into the County as this time. It is not safe and law enforcement authorities will not allow the general population into the area without proper authorization.

Search and rescue efforts are the main priority. There will be a time for citizens to re-enter at a later date, but now is not the time to do so. Orange County does not have any shelters available. There is one staging area at North Orange Baptist Church in Little Cypress and evacuees will be transported out to a safe destination location.

Please refrain from calls to check on houses and property. While we understand your concerns, all phone lines need to be available for search and rescue efforts at this time.

To contact Judge Thibodeaux or any other Emergency Management staff, please call (409) 886-8610.

Numbers for 911 Emergencies: (409) 886-8644 or (409) 886-8648.

BEAUMONT: There continues to be a mandatory evacuation order in effect for the City of Beaumont. The City of Beaumont also has in effect a curfew from 8:00 pm to 6 am. Any businesses that are open in Beaumont need to obey the curfew. Any business that is open after curfew, as well as the patrons inside the business, are in violation of the curfew. Beaumont Officers are still on emergency operations and a large number of officers will be patrolling the city throughout the night. The Water Department is asking citizens who are in the city to conserve their water and minimize its usage.

PORT NECHES: Port Neches has had water since about noon today. There is a Boil Water notice for the City of Port Neches.

JEFFERSON COUNTY: Jefferson County conducted Search and Rescue missions in west Jefferson County areas affected by flooding. They have rescued 12 people by boat and 30 by helicopter. They will continue these missions throughout the night.

PORT ARTHUR: Port Arthur first responders rescued a man on boat who had ridden out the storm there. They also delivered a baby on Gulfway Dr. Water in Port Arthur is drinkable but citizens should conserve it because the sewer system is down. Search and Rescue operations will continue in the Sabine Pass area.

All cities are asking citizens who evacuated to remain where they are. Curfews are still in effect in these cities.

BEAUMONT: There continues to be a mandatory evacuation order in effect for the City of Beaumont. The City of Beaumont also has in effect a curfew from 8:00 pm to 6 am. Any businesses that are open in Beaumont need to obey the curfew. Any business that is open after curfew, as well as the patrons inside the business, are in violation of the curfew. Beaumont Officers are still on emergency operations and a large number of officers will be patrolling the city throughout the night. The Water Department is asking citizens who are in the city to conserve their water and minimize its usage.

PORT NECHES: Port Neches has had water since about noon today. There is a Boil Water notice for the City of Port Neches.

JEFFERSON COUNTY: Jefferson County conducted Search and Rescue missions in west Jefferson County areas affected by flooding. They have rescued 12 people by boat and 30 by helicopter. They will continue these missions throughout the night.

PORT ARTHUR: Port Arthur first responders rescued a man on boat who had ridden out the storm there. They also delivered a baby on Gulfway Dr. Water in Port Arthur is drinkable but citizens should conserve it because the sewer system is down. Search and Rescue operations will continue in the Sabine Pass area.

All cities are asking citizens who evacuated to remain where they are. Curfews are still in effect in these cities.