Evacuation Plan for Tropical Weather

After last weeks brush with Tropical Storm Hermine GITX officials would like to remind the public about the islands strict polices for dealing with tropical weather. Goat Island has a two tiered system for safely evacuating all non-residents, along with any citizens who wish to leave in advance of storms. The tiers are as follows.

Tropical Storm Watch – Non-residents are no allowed access to the Island. Non-residents who are on Goat Island at the time a watch is issued should make preparations to leave in case a Warning is issued. They are also encouraged to vacate the island voluntarily. Both residents and non residents are free to leave GITX at anytime, although ferry operations may be stopped at any time due to rough seas. 

Tropical Storm Warning – All Non-residents are required to leave the Island within 8 hours of a Tropical Storm Warning being issued. All ferry operations will cease 16 hours after a TS Warning is issued, if not earlier. Residents who wish to evacuate should be prepared to leave the ASAP once a warning is issued. 

Officials also want to remind the public that they are not responsible for the safety of anyone who chooses to stay on Goat Island during tropical storm or hurricane like conditions. Rescue attempts will not be made if someone chooses to stay on the island and finds themselves in harms way. 

In short everyone on Goat Island should keep an eye on all tropical systems, and be prepared to react to them on short notice. We are all on an island that is connected to the mainland by a ferry. Even a glancing blow by a weak tropical storm can cut GITX off from the rest of Texas for an extended period of time.

Questions or concerns should be directed to Goat Island Sheriffs Department at City Hall.