The voluntary evacuation order for residents of Galveston Island, Texas ahead of Hurricane Laura is now mandatory.
Under the new order signed Tuesday morning, residents in the city of Galveston are told to secure their property and leave by noon today.
All city services will be suspended and all city buildings will shut down at noon.
Authorities are warning that once winds reach tropical storm strength on the island, police and fire will not be available.
Officials in Galveston say they decided to go with the mandatory evacuation order after the forecast track of then Tropical Storm Laura made a slight jog to the west overnight and then gew to hurricane strength early Tuesday.
All Galveston residents are ordered to get out by noon today.
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