Hurricane Ike Update From TPWD: Texas Game Wardens Deployed, Some State Parks Closed

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

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11:53 a.m. CDT — Update 2

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 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 parks have evacuated campers and closed 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 associated equipment deployed for Hurricane Ike. All of the approximately 500 wardens in the state are preparing to deploy if necessary.
  • Coastal resources include dozens of game wardens based out of Region 4 (Houston) and Region 10 (Corpus Christi). More than 50 Region 4 game wardens either assisting with evacuations or staging for search and rescue deployment once the storm passes.
  • In addition, Strike Team 1, a team of game wardens from outside coastal regions, is deployed at a base near Navasota in Grimes County, prepared to enter the affected area as soon as the storm passes and assist with rescues and other aid as needed. 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
  • Meanwhile, heavy rain in West Texas not related to Ike required several rescues by game wardens and others late yesterday in Pecos County. In the first case, a man was trapped on top of his vehicle in rising water in a draw about 100 yards south of I-10. When game wardens arrived with a boat from Ft. Stockton, the water had risen to the knees of the stranded man. Three game wardens and a DPS trooper made the rescue, in a situation described as intense and extremely dangerous. Later yesterday, game wardens conducted a swift water rescue of a young woman from under a bridge near the town of Iraan. Floodwaters have since receded in the area and game wardens there are preparing for possible Ike deployment.

Texas State Parks

  • Galveston Island State Park — CLOSED
  • Lake Texana State Park — CLOSED
  • Brazos Bend State Park — CLOSED
  • Stephen F Austin State Park — CLOSED
  • Martin Dies Jr. State Park — CLOSED
  • Village Creek State Park — CLOSED
  • San Jacinto Battleground/Battleship TEXAS — CLOSED
  • Sheldon Lake State Park — CLOSED
  • Lake Livingston State Park — CLOSED
  • Sea Rim State Park — remains closed due to damage cause by Hurricane Rita
  • Mustang Island State Park — CLOSED
  • Goose Island State Park — CLOSED
  • Lake Corpus Christi State Park — CLOSED
  • Goliad State Park and Historic Site — CLOSED
  • Monument Hill State Historic Site — CLOSED
  • Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site — CLOSED
  • Washington-on-the-Brazos/Barrington Living History Farm — CLOSED
  • Lake Somerville, Birch Creek and Nails Creek — CLOSED
  • Inks Lake State Park — CLOSED
  • Palmetto State Park — CLOSED
  • Caddo Lake State Park — CLOSED
  • Cooper Lake State Park (both units) — CLOSED
  • Atlanta State Park — CLOSED
  • Mission Tejas State Historic Site — CLOSED
  • Tyler State Park — CLOSED
  • Daingerfield State Park — CLOSED
  • Choke Canyon State Park (both units) — closing Friday
  • Huntsville State Park — closing Friday

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