Westbound lanes of Interstate 10 are filling up as residents flee from Louisiana in advance of Hurricane Gustav.
Local officials have called for the mandatory evacuation of all residents of Jefferson County beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav.
The evacuation process will be staged in staggered times, with coastal residents allowed to leave first. The schedule is as follows:
Residents will use northbound highways, which will have Evacuation Lanes open. East and west bound roads will be closed, with the exception of Interstate 10.
While the exact location of Gustav's landfall is uncertain, the coastline from High Island, Texas, to Mississippi is currently under a Hurricane Watch as Gustav strengthens to near Category 5 wind levels.
Depending on the storm's track, Jefferson County may be without power or experiencing flooding conditions for several days.
The staff of the Southeast Texas Record is taking necessary precautiions, and urges all local residents to do the same.