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For immediate release: July 22, 2008 (4:30 p.m.)
South Padre Island remains under a Hurricane Watch with Tropical Storm Dolly still expected to make landfall between Brownsville and Port O’Connor as early as Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Hurricane Dolly is now expected to make landfall near Brownsville as a strong Category 1 Hurricane early Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. South Padre Island remains under a hurricane warning.
South Padre Island is forecasted to have tropical storm force winds between 8-10 p.m. today exceeding 40 mph and steadily increasing to hurricane force up to 74 mph beginning Wednesday morning. The NWS predicts hurricane force winds to continue until Wednesday evening and should decrease to below tropical force late Wednesday or early Thursday morning.
Winds at the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge will exceed 40 mph as early as 8 p.m. today, according the NWS.
Heavy rains will be widespread for the area with 8-10 inches of rain forecasted for the storm’s duration. Some areas may see as much as 20 inches of rain. Waves are expected to reach 7-10 feet with a storm surge of 3-5 feet.
The Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge remains open. The decision to close the bridge due to increased winds will be made by the Texas Department of Transportation. It is likely the bridge will close at 45 mph sustained winds.
“The Island community is urged to complete any necessary business on the Island as early as possible,” Mayor Robert N. Pinkerton Jr. said. “We encourage people to be on one side of the bridge by 6 p.m. today. We also urge the community to remain indoors after sundown today.”
As the beach narrows on the north end of the Town of South Padre Island, first-floor residents are cautioned to watch for potential flooding.
Mayor Pinkerton declared a local state of disaster Monday, implementing the Town’s Emergency Management Plan. The state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days of the date hereof, unless the same is continued by consent of the Aldermen of the Town of South Padre Island.
“Increased winds are a concern, and the community is encouraged to bring items susceptible to flight, indoors,” Pinkerton said. “Anyone feeling uncomfortable with the expected storm is encouraged to relocate.”
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 until 7 p.m. today.
Utilities will remain connected unless interrupted by the weather.
The Town of South Padre Island’s City Hall will be closed Wednesday and will reopen as conditions allow.
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.
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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