Jago Times "English Edition" Best Online Newspaper
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As the threat of Hurricane Laura looms over southeast Texas, businesses are beginning to take precautions by closing for customer safety.
Many school districts in the area have canceled classes. Here’s a list of other businesses taking precautions.
METRO
At 4 p.m. Wednesday, METRO will temporarily suspend operations of all transit services in preparation for Hurricane Laura.
H-E-B Stores
H-E-B announced some of its stores closed at noon Wednesday:
- Baytown
- Baytown Joe V’s Smart Shop
- Mont Belvieu
All other Houston-area H-E-B and Mi Tienda stores and Central Market Houston will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The H-E-B fuel stations and pharmacies will follow store hours.
Kroger
Kroger announced all of its Houston-area stores will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday due to Hurricane Laura. The store on Seawall Blvd. in Galveston closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Houston ISD Food Distribution Centers
All HISD facilities and offices will close on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27. District facilities are scheduled to reopen on Friday, August 28, pending road and weather conditions.
Food distribution at NRG which was originally scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28 has been rescheduled to Saturday, Aug. 29 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Food deliveries at apartment complexes as well as curbside pickup – both scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 and Friday, Aug. 28 – have been cancelled.
Kelsey Seybold Clinics
The following clinics and services closed at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
- Baytown Clinic
- Clear Lake Clinic
- Pasadena Clinic
Kelsey-Seybold Sleep Center will be closed Wednesday night.
Radiation Oncology Services will close early, and patients will be notified accordingly. All clinic locations, pharmacies and laboratory will close at 5 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 26.
All clinic locations and services will be closed for in-person care on Thursday, Aug. 27. Patients with in-person appointments or outpatient procedures will be directly notified.
YMCA of Greater Houston
The YMCA will close some of its facilities early starting Tuesday.
Edgar A. Smith Family YMCA, Perry Family YMCA, Vic Coppinger Family YMCA and Wendel D. Ley Family YMCA will close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Y Learning Center, Day Camp and all youth programs will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Aug. 28.
Early Childhood Care will close at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 until Friday, Aug. 28.
Children’s Museum Houston
The Children’s Museum will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27.
Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27.
Zoo officials said the animals will be cared for during the storm by a select group of team members who will stay at the Zoo.
Houston Health Department COVID-19 testing sites
Houston Health Department-affiliated COVID-19 testing sites are closed Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27.
City of Houston offices
All city of Houston offices will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 26 beginning at 2 p.m. In a tweet posted on the city’s official Twitter account, only essential employees will be allowed.
Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens is closed ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall in accordance with the city of Galveston’s mandatory evacuation order.
Moody Gardens released the following statement:
“Given its geographical location, Moody Gardens was designed to endure strong winds and flooding. The property’s elevation and pyramid structures were constructed specifically with the threat of hurricanes in mind. The pyramids are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds to provide maximum protection for animals, plants and equipment with some structures such as the hotel providing the best shelter for guests and staff.”
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston will also close Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27 to protect the safety of guests and employees in preparation of anticipated severe weather.
Officials say participants registered in activities that were postponed due to the closure will be contacted with rescheduling information.
The center plans to resume normal operations beginning Friday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m.