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For immediate release: July 21, 2008 (11 a.m.)
Tropical Storm Dolly is expected to make landfall as a strong Category 1 Hurricane Wednesday afternoon between Brownsville and Port O’Connor, according to the National Weather Service.
South Padre Island is currently under a Hurricane Watch. Tropical storm force winds, which consist of a maximum of about 73 mph sustained winds, are expected to hit the coastline late Tuesday night. Hurricane force winds, which consist of a maximum of about 95 mph, are expected to hit the coastline at about 2 p.m. Wednesday.
“We are currently asking the SPI community to make all preparations necessary,” said South Padre Island Mayor Robert N. Pinkerton Jr. “Anyone feeling uncomfortable with the expected storm, is encouraged to relocate.”
Heavy rains are also predicted throughout the Rio Grande Valley Wednesday morning.
State emergency officials are encouraging Texas residents to fuel up vehicles and adhere to local officials’ warnings.
The South Padre Island Fire Department is continuing to issue hurricane re-entry stickers for those returning to the Island after a major storm event. Stickers may be obtained at the fire department located behind City Hall at 4501 Padre Blvd. Stickers will no longer be distributed after 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Empty sandbags are also available at the South Padre Island Public Works maintenance building located at 4501 Padre Blvd. Five empty bags per resident and 10 per business are available.
South Padre Island officials are asking that residents and tourists have their medications refilled and up-to-date, keep cash on hand and prepare necessary supplies.
Those with special needs are urged to contact the Police Department at (956) 761-5454 to be added to a special-needs list in the event of severe weather.
Storm updates are available on the South Padre Island Emergency Management Web site at www.spiemergency.com.
Melissa A. Zamora
Deputy Emergency Management Public Information Officer
Town of South Padre Island
www.spiemergency.com
(956) 761-3005
(956) 433-1231 (cell)
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