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For immediate release: Aug. 20, 2007 (11 a.m.)
There are no plans for evacuation for South Padre Island as a result of Hurricane Dean’s latest forecast by the National Weather Service.
Hurricane Dean is currently predicted to make landfall midday Wednesday, Aug. 22 between Veracruz and Tampico, Mexico more than 260 miles south of South Padre Island as a solid Category 3, according to the National Weather Service.
There may be coastal flood watches or warnings for South Padre Island as the storm approaches. No tropical storm watches or warnings are expected with no significant storm surge.
The National Weather Service is highly confident that Hurricane Dean will remain on its southern track.
“We are also confident of the National Weather Service’s projections, but we, as always, will continue to monitor the weather,” said Mayor Robert N. Pinkerton Jr.
South Padre Island may see storms on Tuesday, but officials say they are not a result of Hurricane Dean.
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 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.
Hurricane Dean, a Category 4, is expected to become a Category 5 very soon and is projected to enter the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday afternoon.
The South Padre Island Fire Department continues 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)
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