HOUSTON – As the possible storm draws near, the high tides on the beaches on Galveston Island are creeping closer and closer to the mainland.
The water levels have prompted the Galveston Island Beach Patrol to issue a rip current advisory and fly red flags to warn people to be careful when they're near the rough waters.
"We were walking on the pier, and one wave came up and got us all wet," Karen Porter said.
"When the tide rises, it allows the surf to come back and hit the bars at full force, so it's a lot more fun instead of being dangerous, you have a good time," said Chris Lonabaugh, who surfs on the island.
Some areas on Galveston Island have already flooded.
A KPRC 2 News viewer sent video of homes dangerously close to the water in Jamaica Beach and the Jamaica Beach Marina, where the docks sat underwater on Thursday.
The city of Galveston thinks it is possible that the tides could rise 4 to 5 feet by Sunday.
"We have equipment that we stage around the island for flooding and high water, boats and high-water vehicles just so we have everything together in case it happens," Peter Davis, with the Galveston Beach Patrol, said.
"Of all weekends that we plan to come down here, wouldn't you know, but we just decided to go for it. Neither one of us is going to melt, and if it starts raining, we've got an umbrella," said Sharon Craig.
List of areas vulnerable to high tides:
- Bolivar Peninsula's Hwy 87 and 124, as well as streets on the Intracoastal side of Bolivar
- Galveston at Harborside Dr.
- Far west end of the island especially Jamaica Beach, roads around drainage ditches
- The unincorporated areas of Bayou vista and Hitchcock
- San Leon around Dick Bay and 24th-25th streets
- Bacliff area