The hurricane, which has claimed some 70 lives in Haiti, is expected to strengthen to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale before it reaches U.S. coast, with wind speeds of up to 249 km/h (155 mph).
Around 1,300 buses, as well as ambulances and paramedic vehicles will be used to evacuate residents from coastal areas. Ike, which is currently around 430 km (267 miles) from the U.S. coast, is expected to strike within 36 hours.
The hurricane forced the evacuation of over 1,300 prisoners from the Texas Correctional Institutions Division's Stevenson Unit in Cuero.
Naval air stations in Texas also began preparations for the hurricane. Some 50 aircraft from the Naval Air Station Kingsville were transferred to El Paso, San Antonio and Fort Worth late on Wednesday, while 75 aircraft from the Corpus Christi air base are expected to be moved later on Thursday.
A total of 7,500 members of National Guard have been put on alert to deal with the hurricane's aftermath.
