 |
 |
|
|
For immediate release: Aug. 18, 2007 (5:30 p.m.)
Hurricane Dean is currently predicted to make landfall at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 at about 140 miles south of Brownsville as a Category 3 or 4 with coastal flooding for the Texas coastline, according to the National Weather Service.
Tropical storm force winds are expected on the Island before noon Wednesday. Waves are expected at 12-14 ft.
Sandbags will be distributed from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily as available at the Public Works garage adjacent to the South Padre Island Fire Station. South Padre Island residents are allowed no more than five filled sandbags, and businesses are allowed up to 10 unfilled sandbags. Businesses may not have filled bags.
Mayor Pinkerton declared a state of emergency for South Padre Island today implementing the Town’s emergency action plan. The state of emergency will last for no more than seven days, unless it is continued by consent of the Board of Aldermen. The declaration is a reminder to residents and visitors to closely monitor the weather.
Hurricane Dean is currently at Category 4 and is expected to become a Category 5 once it hits the Yucatan late Monday or early Tuesday with it entering the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday morning.
South Padre Island officials continue to urge residents to remain very watchful, and individual preparations should be under way. 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 identification 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. Sticker distribution is from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through Monday.
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.
Cameron County has issued a “mandatory relocation” of RVs and other high-profile vehicles on the Island. Cameron County Judge Carlos H. Cascos has issued a Declaration of Disaster for Cameron County.
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)
|
|
|