GALVESTON, TX (KTRK/CNN) - Texas resident Fred Lantz has secured his Galveston home, clearing the first floor of valuables, filling water bottles, and taking his car off the island.
“My air compressor was already up on the shelves so I didn't have to worry about that, I just need to do the vacuum and the fan I'll pick those things up on the shelf,” Lantz said.
The same goes for Joan Newton, who doesn't want her elderly mother to ride out the storm.
"I'm very respectful of the storm potential, not to take it lightly," Newton said.
Galveston Mayor Jim Yarbrough said the West End's voluntary evacuation order was necessary because of the potential for storm surge combined with heavy rain.
“Just in case they may need some help, special needs or medical, we want to make sure we can get to them and they can access the care they may need," Yarbough said. "Preparation not panic, we've been through these before."
On Mechanic Street at the Island East End Theatre Company, they're closing their doors for the weekend.
Many businesses have already started to close for the weekend, beginning early this morning with crews lifting life guard stations off the beach.
At the theatre, they're going one step further by filling and piling sandbags.
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