• Aprill Brandon •
• Originally published August 31, 2008 at 11:40 p.m., updated August 31, 2008 at 11:40 p.m.

Although it looks like Victoria and most of the surrounding areas are out of the woods in terms of Hurricane Gustav, local agencies are still tracking the storm.

According to Jeb Lacey, Victoria’s emergency management coordinator, the area appears to be out of danger, although there is a slight chance the storm could still change course.

As of Sunday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center predicted the storm to make landfall on the northern Gulf Coast today. Currently the storm is a Category 3 hurricane, although it could regain Category 4 strength by the time it makes landfall.

A hurricane warning is still in effect for the northern Gulf Coast, from Cameron, La., eastward to the Alabama-Florida border. The warning was also extended westward Sunday along the Louisiana and Texas coasts to just east of High Island, Texas. A tropical storm warning remains in effect from east of the Alabama-Florida border to the Ochlockonee River.

According to Lacey, mandatory evacuations are taking place in New Orleans and other areas in the path of the hurricane. Evacuees could pass through Victoria, although the city is a no-shelter area due to its proximity to the coast.

“Victoria doesn’t open shelters because we are a coastal area and this is hurricane season. Evacuees need to move inland, away from the coast,” Lacey said. “The nearest shelter hub is in San Antonio and the state has already positioned resources there for evacuees.”

According to Linda May, emergency services director for the local Red Cross chapter, the organization is ready to help push evacuees through the city to the shelter hub in San Antonio. They are also prepared to send people to areas affected by Hurricane Gustav if the National Red Cross asks them for help.

Although Victoria appears out of the danger zone, local grocery and hardware stores have seen a small increase in customers stocking up on essentials just in case the storm changes course.

“Traffic has increased on practical items, especially water and bread,” Wal-Mart assistant manager David De Los Santos said on Sunday. “Yesterday and today we’ve been busier than normal.”

According to H-E-B manager Joe Farias, they have noticed a minimal effect from Hurricane Gustav, with people buying increased amounts of water and batteries.

“You can tell the storm is on customers’ minds. There seems to be a cautiousness, but not a panic,” he said.

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