What’s the difference between voluntary and mandatory evacuations?

HOUSTON – After several days of heavy rainfall and flood threats, both voluntary and mandatory evacuations have been issued.

Authorities in Harris County initially issued a voluntary evacuation for residents near the East Fort of the San Jacinto River. Then the voluntary evacuation turned into a mandatory evacuation.

SEE ALSO: Emergency Management Office seeks donations for San Jacinto County Shelter

So, what’s the difference?

A Voluntary Evacuation means that you should consider leaving to a safer location. There’s a chance that flood waters could render you unable to leave your home. You should still prepare to shelter in place for several days.

Meanwhile, a Mandatory Evacuation means that a life threatening situation is imminent. With that brings a threat to the lives of first responders.

Here’s the very serious part – If you do not leave during a mandatory evacuation, emergency personnel will not come to help you. You are on your own. You cannot rely on help.

“Why are we saying mandatory evacuation? We had a request for a voluntary evacuation a couple days ago,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “The situation then was not threatening to life safety. The situation today is threatening to life safety. And so we want to signal how important this is.”

Now here’s the thing. Just because it’s called a Mandatory Evacuation, it doesn’t mean law enforcement can force you out of your home.

It’s a personal decision to leave or go.

But it’s a decision that could cost someone their life.

“We can’t force someone to leave,” Hidalgo said. “But if you stay there, not only are you a sitting duck, but you’re putting out law enforcement in danger. And at some point, we can’t send law enforcement into swift water that is sure to pose a threat to their life because you made a bad decision. So, please evacuate.”

You can see river and stream water levels as well as rainfall rates here. You can also view the KPRC 2 Flood Tracker here.