Corpus Christi Ends Mandatory Evacuation

Corpus Christi, Texas, canceled its evacuation order allowing residents to return since Hurricane Rita’s path will take its center more than 200 miles away.

In a series of advisories, officials Thursday reminded residents the city remains under a tropical storm warning with Rita likely to bring tropical storm force winds of more than 40 mph to the area.

With mandatory evacuations ended, officials said no further assistance would be provided to residents seeking to leave.

Storm measures remained in place. A police checkpoint was set up on the highway to Padre Island and anyone going there has to prove they are residents or have a business reason to travel there.

Located 183 miles southwest of Houston on the Texas coast, Corpus Christi is shielded from the full force of storms coming off the Gulf of Mexico by Padre Island. The National Hurricane Center in Miami predicted Rita’s eye would make landfall around Port Arthur, Texas, near the Louisiana border, early Saturday.