South Padre Open for Business
The lights are back on across South Padre Island after Hurricane Dolly. Many businesses are open across the island although not all accommodations so be sure to call before heading down to the island. Today's
Austin American-Statesman has an excellent article by Helen Anders about
what's open on South Padre Island. If you've made a visit to the island since Hurricane Dolly or you're a resident, be sure to drop us a line and share your experience about what visitors can expect!
You'll also find more details at:
•
http://www.spiemergency.com/•
http://www.townspi.com/•
http://www.spichamber.com/Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly
posted by Paris and John @ 10:26 AM
South Padre's Ladies Kingfish Tournament to be Held As Planned Aug. 8-10
In spite of damage the island sustained from Hurricane Dolly, the Ladies Kingfish Tournament (LKT) will be held as scheduled Aug. 8-10. Registration and the awards ceremony have been moved to Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark but otherwise it's business as usual for the event which will includes bay and offshore categories. For more details on next weekend's tournament, see the
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce website.
Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly
posted by Paris and John @ 10:17 AM
Update on South Padre Island
Work is underway getting electrical power back to South Padre Island and accessing the damage. If you have a vacation planned for the coming weeks, check in with your accommodation for an update.
You'll also find information on the current status of the island on these websites:
The Town of South Padre Island,
http://www.townspi.com/South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau,
http://www.sopadre.comSouth Padre Island Chamber of Commerce,
http://www.spichamber.com/Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly
posted by Paris and John @ 3:45 PM
South Padre Closed to Visitors At This Time
Due to damage from Hurricane Dolly, South Padre Island is presently closed to non-residents and those without a business on the island. The
South Padre Island CVB has posted a note on its website updating the present conditions on the island. As of today (Saturday), the island has no electricity, and there is a curfew in place as well. Cars are stopped at the causeway, and visitors are not being admitted onto the island until the condition improves. Hopefully electricity will be restored later this week, and repairs can move along quickly.
We'll keep you posted as specific reopening dates are announced. We all look forward to South Padre Island returning to the Texas travel scene as a great year-around destination!
Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly
posted by Paris and John @ 9:39 PM
Post-Dolly Update on Valley State Parks
We just received a post-Hurricane Dolly update from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department about parks in the Rio Grande Valley. The parks are looking good with most storm debris rather than damage. According to TPWD State Parks Division Director Walt Dabney. “Hurricane Rita caused severe damage to some of our upper coast parks in 2005. This week we only have to tidy-up a bit.”
On Friday, three state parks – Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley, Estero Llano Grande and Resaca de la Palma State Parks (all part of the World Birding Center) - remain closed. The beach at Mustang Island State Park in Corpus Christi also remains closed today due to high water.
Today game wardens deployed to help during the storm also headed home. Some 72 game wardens and supervisors, along with seven boat mechanics and two communications specialists, were deployed to South Texas in preparation for Hurricane Dolly, bringing with them 70 boats. By Thursday, game wardens in Cameron County had performed four separate high-water rescues and answered several calls to check on the welfare of stranded residents.
As deployed officers return home today, South Texas game wardens will continue to assist local first responders as needed.
This week, unaffected state parks hosted about 30 evacuees at no cost in campsites and screen shelters.
To find out the status of Rio Grande Valley state parks affected by the storm, call 512-389-8900, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri. or visit the World Birding Center Web site,
http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/ .
Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly, South Texas Plains
posted by Paris and John @ 4:55 PM
South Padre Island Receives Hit from Dolly
We've been following the news report covering Hurricane Dolly and the damage it has caused in South Padre Island, Brownsville, and the Rio Grande Valley. We haven't received specific damage reports yet but will pass those along to you in the coming days as we receive news. Presently the hurricane has moved inland and we're feeling the wind gusts and occasional drops of (much needed) rain from its outer bands even up here in Central Texas.
Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly
posted by Paris and John @ 8:41 PM
Dolly Eyes Brownsville
As Dolly becomes a hurricane and builds strength in the Gulf, residents and visitors of South Padre Island head to the mainland ahead of the approaching storm. Currently the forecast calls for landfall near Brownsville. Here's tonight's NBC broadcast from South Padre Island showing the departure from the island of many visitors. All our best wishes to our neighbors in South Texas as the storm approaches tomorrow morning.
Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly
posted by Paris and John @ 8:43 PM
Hello Dolly? Texas Prepares for Hurricane
Although right now it looks like landfall might be in northern Mexico, South Texas is preparing for the possibility of Hurricane Dolly later this week.
If your travel plans this week include South Padre Island, Brownsville or the Rio Grande Valley, be sure to stay up with the latest weather in region. If the hurricane hits South Texas, look for rain inland as well.
Labels: Gulf Coast, Hurricane Dolly
posted by Paris and John @ 10:22 AM
