TRASH SERVICE: No trash service today. Thursday residential trash collection is pushed to Friday and Friday residential collection will be Saturday. OFFICE HOURS: City of La Marque resumes COVID-19 operation status at 7:30 a.m. Friday morning.
Hurricane Laura Recap, Trash Service and a Morning Update from La Marque City Manager Tink Jackson.
10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2020
TRASH SERVICE: No trash service today. Thursday residential trash collection is pushed to Friday and Friday residential collection will be Saturday.
CITY OFFICE HOURS: All City of La Marque offices resume COVID-19 operation status at 7:30 a.m. Friday morning.
TINK’S MORNING UPDATE: Good Morning, Everyone!!! Yes, it is a good morning. We were extremely blessed overnight as Hurricane Laura skirted right around us and left us with nothing more than some slight surge flooding in very limited areas.
The low pressure system that was sitting over us was strong enough to turn that storm north and keep us free of the major impacts we are seeing across Louisiana today. Count your blessings today as a direct hit from that storm would have been absolutely catastrophic for our city.
Please say a prayer for our neighbors to the east. Louisiana has been devastated by Laura and she is still on the rampage in the northern part of Louisiana right now. I can’t imagine what those people experienced as the 150 mph+ winds tore through their cities last night.
We have deactivated the Emergency Operations Center and will be back under Covid-19 operation status tomorrow morning.
We dodged a huge bullet folks. We still have a long way to go to get through this hurricane season and already have the possibility of another storm forming in the Atlantic this week. Stay weather aware and don’t let our good fortune this time find you unprepared next time.
CONTACT: If you haven’t already, please register for weather alerts and community news flash e-notifications at connect.cityoflamarque.org.
5:00 P.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2020
FORECAST: Hurricane Laura continues to intensify, now a Category 4 hurricane. There are no changes to the forecast for our area. Minor to moderate coastal flooding, high surf and tropical storm winds are the greatest threats. The storm will make landfall around the Texas/Louisiana state line.
TIMELINE: Winds from Hurricane Laura should arrive between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night, intensify around midnight, and sustain until about 6:00 a.m. Thursday morning.
THREATS: For La Marque, tropical storm force winds are expected to be the most substantial threat. High winds could cause power outages so please prepare now.
DO YOUR PART: Please remove hazards from your yard. Tropical storm force winds range from 39-73 miles her hour. Trash collection is suspended Thursday. Bring in trashcans, secure outdoor furniture, toys and decor. Keep the ditches clear of all debris, especially tree limbs and bulk trash.
CONTACT: For emergencies, dial 911. To report weather information, such as trees blocking roadways or after-hours utility emergencies, call La Marque Police Dispatch at 409-938-9269. Register for weather alerts and community news flash e-notifications at connect.cityoflamarque.org
CONTACT: For emergencies, dial 911. To report weather information, such as trees blocking roadways or after-hours utility emergencies, call La Marque Police Dispatch at 409-938-9269. Register for weather alerts and community news flash e-notifications at connect.cityoflamarque.org
HURRICANE LAURA UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2020
LAURA’S TRACK: Confidence is increasing that Hurricane Laura will hit the Texas/Louisiana state lines, which reduces threats for La Marque. Galveston County is still under a Hurricane Warning. Please continue to monitor local news and heed warnings. Laura is now a Category 3 hurricane and is forecast to be Category 4 at landfall.
TIMELINE: Laura is expected to reach the coast in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 27, 2020. The first impacts could be felt in La Marque as early as this afternoon.
THREATS: For La Marque, tropical storm force winds are expected to be the most substantial threat. High winds could cause power outages so please prepare now. Rain is in the forecast, but Flash Flooding is currently considered a low threat.
DO YOUR PART: Citizens can help with storm preparation by removing hazards from your yard. Bring in trashcans, secure outdoor furniture, toys and decor. Keep the ditches clear of all debris, especially tree limbs and bulk trash. It is illegal in the City of La Marque to dump any type of debris, including brush and tree limbs, into a drainage ditch, bayou or stream. This debris can become entangled in culverts or drainage ditches and impede drainage, causing water flow to back up. To report unlawful dumping of debris in a drainage ditch, contact La Marque Police Dispatch at 409-938-9269.
TRASH COLLECTION: Waste Management will complete routes today. Trash collection is suspended for Thursday, August 27, 2020.
HURRICANE LAURA UPDATE 4:30 p.m. August 25, 2020
LAURA’S TRACK: The City of La Marque is now under a Hurricane Warning. Hurricane Laura is forecast to make landfall as a Category 3 somewhere between Bolivar Peninsula and Cameron Parish, Louisana, tomorrow night. There has not been much change in track. She looks to be heading to our east, but a westerly shift could send Laura closer to our area. Now, we wait and watch.
EVACUATION: The City of La Marque is under a voluntary evacuation order. If you decide to stay, please make sure you and your family are prepared for a major hurricane.
TRASH COLLECTION: As of now, Waste Management trash collection will operate as normal through Wednesday. Trash collection services are suspended for Thursday, August 27, 2020. No missed services will be rescheduled this week.
CITY OFFICE HOURS: City of La Marque non-emergency offices will be closed Wednesday, August, 26 and Thursday, August 27, 2020. A decision about city offices opening Friday will be made Thursday.
CONNECT WITH YOUR CITY: For emergencies, dial 911. To report weather information, such as trees blocking roadways or after-hours utility emergencies, call La Marque Police Dispatch at 409-938-9269. Register for weather alerts and community news flash e-notifications at
connect.cityoflamarque.org.
1:32 p.m. August 25, 2020
The La Marque Office of Emergency Management issued a voluntary evacuation for the City of La Marque effective at noon today, Tuesday, August 25, 2020. This is a map of the Hurricane Protection Levee system. If you are inside the levee, you are under voluntary evacuation.
A mandatory evacuation for citizens living outside the Hurricane Protection Levee was issued this morning. The area outside the levee includes the areas of Omega Bay, Highland Bayou Park, Mahan Park and Perthius Farm. Residents in those neighborhoods were contacted directly by city staff.
The information reported Galveston County this afternoon was an error. We do apologize for any confusion. Storm preparation is a fast-moving and information changes quickly. Please be patient with us as all the emergency management coordinators from across the city, county and state and working around the clock to get the most important and accurate information to the people who need it most - YOU!
At this time, most of La Marque is under voluntary evacuation orders. Please continue to monitor our website and social media. Register for weather alerts and community news flash e-notifications at
connect.cityoflamarque.org for the most reliable information impacting citizens of La Marque.
This is a map of the Hurricane Protection Levee system. If you are inside the levee, you are under voluntary evacuation.
12:15 p.m. August 25, 2020
The La Marque Office of Emergency Management has issued a voluntary evacuation for the City of La Marque effective at noon today, Tuesday, August 25, 2020. A mandatory evacuation for citizens living outside the Hurricane Protection Levee was issued this morning. Mayor Hocking signed a disaster declaration for the City of La Marque.
Hurricane, Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Watches have been upgraded to warnings for parts of our area due to Laura’s westward shift overnight. Wherever Laura makes landfall, she will bring 115 mph wind with gusts up to 140 mph and a dangerous storm surge. It is crucial that citizens of La Marque monitor the weather and prepare for a direct hit from a major hurricane.
No matter how Laura tracks, it is likely that we will receive Tropical Storm force winds Wednesday evening. Please secure items outside your home, including patio seating, toys and trampolines.
Storm surge levels have increased from yesterday. Currently, a 3 to 5 feet of surge is expected. Gulf water levels are expected to rise and high seas will start as early as Tuesday evening. Rainfall will be concentrated where the storm makes landfall. This is a fastmoving hurricane, so flash flooding and floods from rainfall are considered secondary threats.
City of La Marque non-emergency offices will be closed Wednesday, August, 26 and Thursday, August 27, 2020. A decision about city offices opening Friday will be made Thursday.
For emergencies, dial 911. To report weather information, such as trees blocking roadways or after-hours utility emergencies, call La Marque Police Dispatch at 409-938-9269.
10:10 a.m. August 25, 2020
Hurricane Laura’s shift to the west has changed things for Texas Upper Coast residents, including citizens of La Marque. A Hurricane Warning has been issued for our area. Please continue to monitor the weather. Stay informed, get prepared and heed warnings from local emergency management personnel.
The main threat of Hurricane Laura is wind damage. The closer the eyewall comes to our area, the more storm surge we will see. Rain totals also depend on Laura’s track. We will continue to post updates and citizens are encouraged to watch local news outlets. Follow National Weather Service Houston/Galveston for reliable forecasts.
City of La Marque non-emergency offices will be closed Wednesday, August, 26 and Thursday, August 27, 2020.
For emergencies, dial 911. To report weather information, such as trees blocking roadways or after-hours utility emergencies, call La Marque Police Dispatch at 409-938-9269.
10:30 p.m. August 24, 2020
Tropical Storm Laura is currently passing over Cuba and is expected to strengthen as it moves over the warm Gulf waters toward Southwest Louisiana. The storm is now forecast on the cusp of a Category 3 hurricane. There are no changes to watches or warnings for our area, and there has been no major change to Laura’s track.
The current forecast calls for hurricane-force winds Wednesday evening. Storm surge is still expected from 2 - 4 feet and high seas are expected. We will provide another update tomorrow around 11:00 a.m.
Please continue to monitor the weather. This storm could still hook to the west and impact the Upper Texas Coast.
4:45 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2020
Marco continues to weaken, and forecasters do not expect significant impacts in our area. Our focus has shifted to Laura.
There is still some uncertainty as to Larua’s track. Right now, it looks like the storm is headed to Southwest Louisana or the Texas/Louisana state line. Confidence has increased slightly, but several models still put the storm directly in our area. Please continue to monitor the weather. We will post another update around 11:00 p.m. tonight.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Port Bolivar, Texas to Morgan City, Louisiana. A Storm Surge Watch has been issued, as well.
11:00 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2020
Tropical Storm Laura continues to make its way across Cuba and will enter the Gulf of Mexico later today or early tomorrow morning. The US National Weather Service Houston-Galveston Texas expects this storm to strengthen into a hurricane over the next 48 hours.
There is still uncertainty in what track this storm will take as it moves towards the Gulf Coast. The La Marque Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor Tropical Storm Laura and is in constant coordination with local, state, and regional partners.
We encourage all residents to be making preparations for potential impacts from this storm. These preparations should include reviewing hurricane plans, stocking your disaster kit, and staying informed to the latest weather updates.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit storm.cityoflamarque.org.
9:00 PM Sunday, August 23, 2020
Hurricane Marco is tracking toward Southeast Louisana and will likely weaken as it approaches the coast, but tropical storm force winds are possible in our area, along with rain on Tuesday.
Laura is expected to be more of a threat. Laura is forecast to become a Category 2 hurricane and make landfall somewhere between the Upper Texas coast and Southwest Louisana. Landfall in our area is possible, which would bring significant wind, storm surge and 5 to 10 inches of rain.
Please monitor the weather, especially over the next 72 hours—Laura’s landfall is likely Wednesday afternoon or evening. Make sure you and your family are prepared.
La Marque Emergency Management is monitoring the storm, along with storm surge and rainfall projections. Register for weather alerts and community newsflash e-notifications at
connect.cityoflamarque.org.
ORIGINAL POST August 21, 2020
There are two tropical cyclones brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Depression 14 poses the most threat to the Texas Gulf Coast. TD14 is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it passes over the warm Gulf waters, but could reduce back down to a Tropical Storm as it approaches the coast. There is still uncertainty in the models as far as landfall, but we expect rain and wind early next week. Please review your hurricane plan and make sure you have a plan for your family and your pets.
Check out the latest forecast from the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUHUedshQU8&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3zSXoMvYCXY4s34MYP-PqUkom1YC_hENYe1WAdkPidarrr-6QkhHbFPAw
