Hurricane Ike Update From TPWD: Texas Game Wardens Deploy, Some State Parks Closing

Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.texas.gov

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12:18 p.m. CDT — Update 1

Note: This item is more than 15 years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.

Below is information sent by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Governor’s Press Office earlier today. The governor’s office is coordinating official communication about Ike for the State of Texas, including TPWD activities. The following information is provided as a service and convenience for TPWD’s audience. For complete information, see the Texas governor’s web site at http://governor.state.tx.us/, or news media may phone the press office at (512) 463-1826.

Regarding Texas State Parks, several coastal parks are evacuating campers and closing today due to Ike, as noted below. Other parks outside the area affected by the storm are preparing to accept people evacuating from areas hit by the storm. Evacuees from storm-damaged areas may tent camp at no cost in Texas State Parks, and they may stay in cabins or screen shelters at discounted rates. The latest information is available through the Texas State Parks reservation center at (512) 389-8900 or on the TPWD Web site (tpwd.texas.gov). The public can also phone individual state parks to see whether a park is closed or accepting evacuees.

Texas Game Wardens/TPWD Law Enforcement Division

  • TPWD has more than 200 game wardens and equipment deployed or ready to deploy to respond to Hurricane Ike. Every warden in the Division is preparing to deploy if necessary.
  • Coastal resources include dozens of game wardens based out of Region 4 (Houston) and Region 10 (Corpus Christi). 
  • In addition, Strike Team 1, a team of game wardens from outside coastal regions, is prepared to deploy by 11 a.m., Thu., Sep. 11
  • Strike Team 1 includes 26 Game Wardens, two Radio Technicians, two Communications Operators, seven airboats, six River boats, one Communications Trailer, and one Fuel Trailers
  • The division also has staff manning the Austin emergency operations center 24/7

Texas State Parks

  • Galveston Island State Park has begun a mandatory evacuation of their campers and plans to have the park closed by 5 p.m. today until further notice. The park is already experiencing high tides on the beach with bay side water currently backing up to the roads.  The county is expected to implement a mandatory evacuation for the west side of the island beginning tomorrow.
  • Lake Texana SP has begun a mandatory evacuation and plans to have the park closed by 5 p.m. today until further notice.
  • Brazos Bend and Stephen F. Austin SPs are currently on standby for a possible evacuation and have executed their hurricane preparedness plans.
  • Sea Rim SP has postponed planned youth alligator hunts until next weekend.  The park remains closed to the public due to damage cause by Hurricane Rita.
  • All other state parks in Region 4 (upper coast) are on standby and executing hurricane preparedness plans.  At this point, no parks in the region are accepting evacuees.
  • On the lower coast, Goose Island and Mustang Island SPs are evacuating visitors and planning to close this evening. They will not be re-opening unless and until the storm changes course or moves ashore.
  • All other state parks in Region 2 (lower coast) are on standby and executing hurricane preparedness plans. This includes securing equipment, vehicles, etc. and moving critical items to Lake Corpus Christi SP

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