By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

BEAUMONT — As Hurricane Gustav prepares to enter the Gulf of Mexico, Jefferson and Orange County officials have called for a mandatory evacuation beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday.

In a press conference Saturday, Crystal Holmes, Beaumont Police Department spokesperson, said the decision had not been made lightly.

“We had to take into consideration the number of people from the area, take into account the financial hit on industry and how long it takes for industry to shut down refineries,” Holmes said.

The storm’s questionable path, and history of previous storms not staying on their project paths, were other factors in the decision.

“At this time, we cannot judge the storm’s path, or the intensity,” Holmes said.

If Gustav’s path continues to fluctuate and takes a more westward movement, Southeast Texas could take a direct hit, she said.

In Jefferson County, evacuations will be made in a staggered process every two-hours. Sabine Pass residents go first at 6 a.m., Port Arthur, South-County residents at 8 a.m., Mid-County at 10 a.m. and Beaumont and surrounding areas at noon.

Southeast Texas residents are free to leave earlier than those designated hours, and may find the earlier, the better.

Once the evacuation is in effect, motorists traveling along U.S. 69 or U.S. 96 will not be allowed to divert from those highways, unless they can prove they need to leave the road to reach their evacuation destination, Holmes said.

Holmes said she did not know what effect Louisiana evacuations would have on local traffic routes. Those residents were urged to travel north, away from coastal communities.

Evacuees who have not yet made hotel room reservations, or, those who have not made prior arrangements with relatives or friends, should expect to travel at least north of Lufkin before finding shelter.