September 11, 2008: 12:20 PM
Closures around the coastal bend due to Hurricane Ike and Important Information:
For Immediate Release
The Aransas County Emergency Operations Center has Suspended Mandatory Evacuation for residents of Aransas County. Voluntary evacuation for all Special Needs residents will continue. This includes all residents that reside in mobile homes or in low lying areas that prone to flooding from high tides or heavy rain. Busses will still be departing for the Live Oak Learning Center until Noon Today. A storm surge of of 6 feet is expected along with high winds and heavy rain. Low lying and flood prone areas may become impassible. City of Rockport Utilities (Gas and Water) will NOT be shut off unless weather conditions dictate.
Hurricane Ike has taken a track slightly to the north from earlier forecasts. Nueces County is still subject to significant amounts of rain, sever storm surge, and tropical storm winds, including the possibility of hurricane winds. The public is urged to evacuate low lying areas and Padre Island. The public is again hereby advised that “Special Needs” evacuations related to Hurricane Ike have terminated. 2-1-1 registration at this point in time will not trigger an evacuation response from Nueces County. Citizens are encouraged to follow their personal safety plans and to closely monitor news reports and the track of Hurricane Ike.
The Nueces County Courthouse and other County offices will close today at noon.
Eastern part of San Patricio County (taft and eastward) is under MANDITORY evacuation.
Nueces Electric Cooperative activated its emergency response plan Tuesday morning at 8:00 AM in anticipation of a tropical cyclone landfall in its service area along the South Texas Coastal Bend. Nueces Electric Co-op serves consumers with approximately 17,000 electric services in parts of eight counties -including Nueces, Kleberg, Kenedy, Jim Wells, Duval, Live Oak, Brooks, and McMullen. NEC encourages its member-consumers to rush their family hurricane preparedness plans to completion. NEC also encourages its consumers who are dependent on life support, and consumers who are elderly and/or heat sensitive to make plans for and in anticipation of power outages that could last for an extended period of time. NEC has received notice from South Texas Electric Cooperative that, as it deems necessary, they will be "taking off reclosing" at the substations in our area in order to minimize the amount of damage to all system electrical equipment caused by Hurricane Ike. Simply put, NEC members should expect the interruption of power possibly as early as Friday afternoon. If this occurs, consumers on these affected substations will not have power restored until after the storm passes and damage to the delivery system associated with the substation can be assessed. While this is inconvenient for our members, this action will ultimately prevent damage to both the substation and distribution system equipment and can significantly shorten the duration of power interruptions as a result of the storm. We encourage NEC members to be prepared for this potential situation.If you plan to use a portable backup generator for temporary electric power, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to protect you and your family. Also, DO NOT connect the generator to the house wiring unless you have had a qualified electrician hook up the standby electrical system which includes the installation of a transfer switch to isolate the generator from the electric utility service. Without the transfer switch, the power from the generator will back feed through the transformer and raise the voltage to 7,200 which can easily kill the serviceman trying to restore the power down the line. In addition, when the power is restored it may cause an electrical fire and/or destroy the generator.
The public is hereby advised that “Special Needs” evacuations related to Hurricane Ike have terminated. 2-1-1 registration at this point in time will not trigger an evacuation response from Nueces County. Citizens are encouraged to follow their personal safety plans and to closely monitor news reports and the track of Hurricane Ike. A follow up press release will be distributed at approximately 11:00 a.m. after conference calls with the National Weather Service and State Emergency Management Officials.
DECISION ON CITY EVACUATION FOR TRANSPORTATION. DEPENDENT RESIDENTS POSTPONED UNTIL 2 P.M. THURSDAY, SEPT. 11
The City of Corpus Christi advises residents that a decision as to when evacuations for transportation dependent citizens will open has been postponed until 2 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2008. Officials say the reason for the postponement is that because of Hurricane Ike's current track farther north up the Texas coast, Galveston and Houston are now in the process of preparing for transportation dependent evacuations and the shelters in San Antonio are making preparations for evacuees from those areas. Again, the City of Corpus Christi will make a decision on whether to proceed with such evacuations locally at 2 p.m. today and will notify the media immediately of that decision.
Mayor Henry Garrett advises residents that the 3rd Annual Community Memorial Prayer Gathering in remembrance of those whose lives were lost during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has been canceled due to Hurricane Ike. The event was to have been held at 7 p.m. today, Thursday, September 11, 2008 in Cole Park. The Mayor’s office says the prayer gathering will be rescheduled for another date that has yet to be determined.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials began evacuations early Thursday of three TDCJ units located in areas likely to be affected by Hurricane Ike. The Terrell and Clemens units in Brazoria County and the Carole S. Young Medical Facility Complex in Galveston County began evacuations early Thursday morning. The 1,561 offenders from Terrell, located at 1300 FM 655 in Rosharon, were en route to units in the Huntsville area while 1,068 inmates assigned to Clemens, located at 11034 Highway 36 in Brazoria, were en route to units in the Palestine area. Evacuations are expected to be complete by early Thursday afternoon. A total of 402 female offenders assigned to the Young Unit were transported to the Gatesville Unit in Gatesville. Those evacuations were completed at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Weekend visitation will be canceled at the following TDCJ prison units, although it is advised that visitors contact the unit prior to traveling to ensure visitation has not been canceled at other TDCJ facilities not listed below.
Beto Unit in Tennessee Colony, Briscoe Unit in Dilley, Byrd Unit in Huntsville, Central Unit in Sugar Land, Clemens Unit in Brazoria, Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, Connally Unit in Kenedy, Darrington Unit in Rosharon, Eastham Unit in Lovelady, Ellis Unit in Huntsville, Estelle Unit in Huntsville, Ferguson Unit in Midway, Gatesville Unit in Gatesville
Goree Unit in Huntsville, Hightower Unit in Dayton, Hilltop Unit in Gatesville, Hobby Unit in Marlin, Hodge Unit in Rusk
Hospital Galveston in Galveston, Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Jester I Unit in Richmond, Jester III Unit in Richmond, Jester IV Unit in Richmond
LeBlanc Unit in Beaumont, Lewis Unit in Woodville, Luther Unit in Navasota, Lynaugh Unit in Fort Stockton, McConnell Unit in Beeville, Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony, Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, Murray Unit in Gatesville, Pack Unit in Navasota, Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Powledge Unit in Palestine, Ramsey I Unit in Rosharon, Scott Unit in Angleton, Segovia Unit in Edinburg, Skyview Unit in Rusk, Stevenson Unit in Cuero, Stiles Unit in Beaumont, Stringfellow Unit in Rosharon, Terrell Unit in Rosharon, Vance Unit in Richmond, Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Carole S. Young Medical Facility Complex in Texas City, Duncan Unit in Diboll, Fort Stockton Unit in Fort Stockton, Garza East Unit in Beeville, Garza West Unit in Beeville, Goodman Unit in Jasper, Gurney Unit in Tennessee Colony, Holliday Unit in Huntsville, Marlin Facility in Marlin, Glossbrenner Unit in San Diego, Gist State Jail in Beaumont, Henley State Jail in Dayton, Kegans State Jail in Houston, Lopez State Jail in Edinburg, Lychner State Jail in Humble, Plane State Jail in Dayton, Woodman State Jail in Gatesville, Willacy County State Jail in Raymondville, Cleveland Unit in Cleveland, Diboll Unit in Diboll, East Texas Treatment Facility in Henderson, South Texas Intermediate Sanction Facility in Houston, Jefferson County Leased Bed Facility in Beaumont, Newton County Leased Bed Facility in Newton.
Family members needing information on incarcerated offenders may contact TDCJ's 24-hour Hurricane Hotline at (936) 437-6127.
Earlier in the week, TDCJ officials had taken the precaution of evacuating 12 female dialysis patients from the Young Unit to the Estelle Unit in Huntsville. On Wednesday, an additional 1,336 offenders from the Stevenson Unit in Cuero were evacuated to the McConnell Unit in Beeville and the Connally Unit in Kenedy, and 597 offenders at the Glossbrenner Unit in San Diego were evacuated to the Briscoe Unit in Dilley.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The U.S. Postal Service is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ike by advising customers that normal service operations in the path of the storm may be affected in the event of unsafe conditions such as high winds, flooding, or impassable roads. Regular postal operations are expected to be in effect for today, Thursday, September 11, and possibly Friday, September 12. Depending on local conditions, some post offices may temporarily close their lobbies as Ike makes landfall. The Postal Service is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ike by advising customers to deposit outgoing mail today or tomorrow to ensure timely processing of mail destined for delivery outside the local area. If roads become impassable or unsafe for travel, mail delivery services may be curtailed, and mail collection schedules from mail collection boxes could be suspended.
Postal Service employees in the Texas Gulf Coast area will be working around-the-clock to secure the mail, postal facilities and equipment in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Ike.
The Postal Service will suspend services in the event a mandatory evacuation order is issued by local, state, or federal emergency management officials. Customer service operations in any area covered by a mandatory evacuation order will be suspended, including mail processing, mail delivery, scheduled collection of mail from mail collection boxes, bulk mail acceptance, post office box service and retail post office lobby services.
Drop shipment appointments for commercial mailers will also be suspended at closed facilities.
As per DPS, Contraflow has been lifted until further notice, due to movement of the hurricane.
Chief Wright of Portland just called to confirm that Mayor Krebs has issued a recommendation to residents that they begin evacuating Portland at 7am on Thursday.
TESTING AT TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE for September 13 have been postponed. Rescheduled for September 27.
NavyArmy Credit Union extend lobby hours of operation to 6:30pm, effective Wednesday, September 10, 2008 and Thursday, September 11, 2008. NavyArmy will be closed Friday, September 12, 2008 and Saturday, September 13, 2008; and plans to be open for business normal hours of operation on Monday, September 15, 2008. For quick cash, go to any Stripes location for FREE transactions.
YWCA Child Care Connection will be closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday. YWCA Fitness Connection will be closed Thursday and Friday.
Coastal Community And Teachers Credit Union will be closed on Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th. All offices are scheduled to resume business on Monday, September 15th dependent upon conditions.
First Community Bank: closing our Corpus Christi, Island and Portland locations at 12:30pm, Thursday, September 11th and re-open for normal business on Monday, September 15th. Alice and Kingsville locations will remain open for normal business on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday unless weather conditions deteriorate.
Administration of the ACT, scheduled to be given at Robstown High School has been cancelled due to inclement weather. The reschedule test date is TBA.
ALL CITY BEACHES ARE CLOSED, INCLUDING WINDWARD PARK ING LOT. POLICE ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION.
First Christian Church Corpus Christi cancelled it 9 a.m. service on Sunday, Sept 14
Texas State Aquarium will be closed to the public on Thursday (9/11), Friday (9/12), and Saturday (9/13)
NavyArmy Credit Union closed Friday and Saturday
S. TX Lighthouse for the Blind- closed Thurs/Fri
The Craft Training Center of the Coastal Bend closed Wed-Sat
Botanical Gardens closed Thurs-Monday
London ISD- no school Thurs/Fri
Coastal Bend College will close on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. -Canceled thru Monday
George West ISD, closed Thurs/Fri
KinderCare Learning: closed Thurs/Fri
Nueces County Appraisal District: closed Thurs/Fri
Ricardo ISD- Thurs/Fri
Del Mar College Closing Today at 5:30 p.m.; Evening Classes Canceled & remain closed after 5:30 p.m. until Monday.
Methodist Child Development Center in Kingsville, TX Thurs/Fri
Ricardo ISD Thurs/Fri
Vanguard Institute of Tech- Thurs/Fri
Cathedral of the Palm Christian School will be closed Thurs/Fri
The Vincent Morris Children's Center at First Methodist Church-Closed Thurs/Fri
Kingsville ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Sarita Elementary School of the Kennedy County-Wide Common School District-Closed Thurs/Fri
Aransas Pass Schools-Closed Thurs/Fri
Diocese of CC- Diocesan Elem, Middle, Secondary (including John Paul II HS)-Closed Thurs/Fri
Taft ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Discroll ISD, Driscoll TX-Closed Thurs/Fri
Woodsburo ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Rivera School District- Closed Thurs/Fri
Odem ISD- *Closed Thurs/Fri
Ingleside ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Bay Area Child Development-Closed Thurs/Fri
Calallen ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
West Oso ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Tulso Midway-Closed Thurs/Fri
CC Monistary School closed until Monday
Agudolce School District-Closed Thurs/Fri
Taft ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Skidmore ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Mathis ISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
ST. MARY'S ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL, BEEVILLE TX
S-TISD closed Thurs/Fri
Beach will be closed @ 6pm City Beaches South Padre Island.
Art Museum of S. Texas will be closed Thurs-Sunday
CCISD-Closed Thurs/Fri
Orange Grove-Closed Thurs/Fri
Incarnate Word Academy-Closed Thurs/Fri
Island Foundation Schools-Closed Thurs/Fri
FB ISD- closed Thur/Fri
TAMUCC closed 5pm today, Thurs/Fri
St. James Episcopal School0 Closed Thur/Fri
TAMUK closed 5pm today, Thurs/Fri
Veterans & Military Summit at ABC Canceled
USS Lexington closes 2pm until further notice
Boys and Girls Club of CC- Greenwood Unit and Robstown Unit- Thur/Fri
