Port of Brownsville to close for storm

By orders of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port of Brownsville today was under “Port Hurricane Condition X-Ray,” meaning that all vessels were to complete cargo operations and depart within 24 hours, according to port public information officer Manuel Ortiz.

Starting at midnight tonight, the port will be under “Port Hurricane Condition Yankee,” which closes it to incoming traffic without specific written approval of the port.

“All cargo operations should be secured. All vessels are encouraged to put to sea,” Ortiz said in an advisory.

At 12 noon Wednesday, the port will be under “Port Hurricane Condition Zulu,” meaning that the port is closed. No terminal, facility or vessel operations will be permitted.