(September 11, 2008)

SINTON--San Patricio County leaders are urging folks there to still respect the potential dangers associated with Hurricane Ike and not adopt the attitude that they're totally out of the woods.

County leaders are following the track of Hurricane Ike. Just about an hour ago, they lifted a mandatory evacuation for coastal cities in San Patricio County.

Ingleside on the Bay in San Patricio County is seeing higher tides than normal due to Hurricane Ike and there's street flooding already. County leaders are expecting to see a five-foot storm surge and residents will see more street flooding after that.

Officials said they're concerned about rain and wind damage from Ike.

"We are worried about the storm surge," said Chad Davis, an Ingleside on the Bay resident. "The tide is way up. Some of the streets have water. The closer the things get, the higher it's going to get and it will be probably get up in our yards and roads and everything."

"Just remember even if we don't get a direct hit, we will still have issues here with power going out," said San Patricio County Judge Terry Simpson. "We don't know how long it will be before they get it back."

Special Needs residents were evacuated from nursing homes in Refugio this morning. County leaders also offered bus rides for residents without any transportation.

Hurricane Ike is expected to make landfall by this weekend. Leaders said the clock is ticking.If you want to get out, you better do it soon before it's too late.

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com