BAYTOWN, Texas -- A Baytown hotel charged people more than twice the room rate advertised online at the same time Hurricane Katrina sent evacuees to Texas Monday, Local 2 reported.

Evacuees looking for hotel rooms were quoted a room rate of $200 for the Comfort Suites, 7209 Garth Road.

Online, the hotel quoted a room rate of $79.99

"And they're charging $200? That sounds like price gouging to me," nearby hotel guest Ted Kennedy said

Local 2 confronted the manager of Comfort Suites about the price difference.

At first, she refused to comment, but then said she quoted guests a rate of $199 a night to discourage rowdy people from staying there. She claimed guests were only charged $99.

The Comfort Suites is part of the Choice Hotels franchise. A spokeswoman told Local 2, "We do not condone the raising of rates based on hurricane demand and occupancy." The spokeswoman also said the hotel was indeed charging guests $200 a night, but was in the process of adjusting those rates.

The Best Western next door to the Comfort Suites charged a normal rate, Local 2 reported.

Some church members went to the hotels to extend their southern hospitality to guests.

Second Baptist Church in Baytown brought sandwiches, cookies and other food to the evacuees.

"This is such an opportunity for us to reach out. We could easily be on the other end," a church member said.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott warned businesses not to exploit hurricane victims. The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act prohibits businesses from engaging in false advertising of rates, prices or services during a disaster or any other time.

Violators will be prosecuted, officials said.