PORT ARANSAS, Texas — The City of Port Aransas issued a mandatory evacuation order for all visitors to evacuate by Sunday at noon as Hurricane Beryl makes its way closer to the coast.
Visitors are taking the order seriously and leaving early, causing the ferry in the city to be backed up and some hotels to close their doors.
Jamie Shelton and his wife are wrapping up their Fourth of July trip and got stuck waiting in the ferry line.
"About 35 minutes, and if there was any way to get out of this line and go back the other way I would," Shelton said.
Portland resident Hector Vargas was helping a family friend secure his boat and move it inland before the storm arrives.
He's not surprised about the wait time.
"I already anticipated 2 hours, but you know what: if it's only 1 hour, it's a win-win," he said.
Staff at Captain's Quarters Inn told 3NEWS they stopped taking reservations Saturday, and any guests still at the hotel will have to be checked out by 11 a.m. tomorrow.
Although Shelton is just visiting, his thoughts are with the people living along the coast as the Hurricane Beryl draws near.
"I think it's terrible," he said. "I've been watching the news. First they thought it would miss Corpus but now looks like it's not and I feel for everyone who lives here."
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