Ike Update From TPWD: Game Wardens Deployed, 32 State Parks Closed, Others Accept Evacuees

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

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12:05 p.m. CDT — Update 3

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, 32 parks are now closed due to Ike, as listed below. Other state parks are accepting people evacuating from areas hit by the storm. More than 1,000 Ike evacuees are now staying in state parks outside the storm’s expected path. Evacuees from storm-damaged areas may tent camp or stay in RVs or campers 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 in Southeast Texas. All of the approximately 500 wardens in the state are preparing to deploy if necessary.
  • This morning, LE supervisors in all parts of the state were directed to assemble additional strike teams. Each team will consist of 10 game wardens and one captain, and will be prepared to be self-sustaining for 5 days. Each will be prepared to deploy when activated by the State Operations Center.
  • Deployed 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 are staged for rescue deployment once the storm passes.
  • In addition, Strike Team 1, a team of game wardens from outside coastal regions, is deployed in Robertson 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
  • About 16 game wardens are staged in or near the Beaumont-Port Arthur area, where it is expected they may be especially needed, since there is a greater concentration of city, county, state and federal responders with boats and equipment in the Houston-Galveston area.

Texas State Parks

Below is a listing of state parks that are CLOSED until further notice due to Ike.

  • Goose Island
  • Mustang Island
  • Goliad
  • Lake Corpus Christi
  • Fort Parker
  • Brazos Bend
  • Galveston
  • Lake Livingston
  • Lake Texana
  • Martin Dies, Jr.
  • San Jacinto
  • Sea Rim (still closed due to Hurricane Rita damage)
  • Sheldon Lake
  • Stephen F. Austin
  • Village Creek
  • Huntsville
  • Fanthorp Inn
  • Washington on the Brazos
  • Lake Somerville
  • Monument Hill
  • Buescher
  • Bastrop
  • Atlanta
  • Caddo Lake
  • Cooper Lake
  • Daingerfield
  • Lake Bob Sandlin
  • Lake Tawakoni
  • Martin Creek Lake
  • Mission Tejas
  • Purtis Creek
  • Tyler

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