ANGELINA COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
Emergency officials across East Texas
are watching weather forecasts more closely this week.
"Isaac has been making a westward
pass towards New Orleans right now but if it continues west it could affect us
more," said Don Morris, Emergency Management Coordinator, Angelina County.
As Isaac targets neighboring Louisiana
for landfall, Angelina County officials say they're prepared for the worst.
Lufkin is no stranger to disaster and Deputy
City Manager Keith Wright says an emergency plan is in place for any scenario.
"We have a lot of experience we went
through Ike and Rita which were pretty much direct hits on Lufkin," said
Wright.
"If they evacuate in Beaumont,
Port Arthur area down there then we will be notified ahead of time and he will
start making preparations to put shelter up to accommodate the public,"
said Morris.
Emergency officials say non-profit
organizations like the Salvation Army and the Red Cross are crucial during
potential disasters.
"When Katrina hit our population
almost doubled simply in shelters and having people in place and ready to help
can make a big difference," said Candyce
Wagnon, Service Director, Salvation Army
Right now, officials are monitoring wind
speeds. Strong gusts could easily topple trees killed
by drought potentially knocking out power.
"We'll probably put some crews on standby
for any type of debris or trees that might fall," said Wright.
Emergency officials say they have plans in
place for any disaster but hope Isaac will continue to track east.
"If we have a hazmat situation we
have plans to handle that if we have a tornado come through we can handle that,"
said Morris.
Isaac's intensity will determine the
East Texas response. Until landfall, county and city crews are on standby.
"We're ready as well as anybody can be,"
said Wright.
The Salvation Army in
Nacogdoches will host a training for their volunteer response team Saturday September
8th from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
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