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For immediate release: July 23, 2008 (9:30 a.m.)
Hurricane Dolly is expected to make landfall near Brownsville as a Category 2 Hurricane between 10 a.m. and noon, according to the National Weather Service. The South Padre Island Emergency Operations Center is fully activated. The Emergency Management Team is closely monitoring the storm, and emergency staff is prepared.
Minor debris has been reported with no other significant damage. The Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge remains closed until further notice.
“The Island community is urged to remain indoors until Hurricane Dolly passes,” Mayor Robert N. Pinkerton Jr. said. “Be safe, be smart and leave the roads to our emergency responders.”
The storm is located about 30-35 miles east of Brownsville moving at about 8 mph. According to the NWS, hurricane force winds will spread over the US 77/83 corridor through the morning reaching to near McAllen. Wind speeds for a Category 2 hurricane are 96-110 mph. The highest winds will be confined to South Padre Island and coastal areas of Cameron and Willacy counties.
Winds are expected to fall below hurricane force at South Padre Island by 3 p.m. today. Winds will fall below tropical storm force at South Padre Island by 10 p.m. today. By noon Thursday, winds everywhere are expected to be below 35 mph.
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 15-plus inches. Waves are expected to reach 7-10 feet with a storm surge of 3-5 feet.
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.
Utilities will remain connected unless interrupted by the weather.
The Town of South Padre Island’s City Hall will be closed today and will reopen as conditions allow.
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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