Judge orders north SPI beach, Isla Blanca and Boca Chica beach closed
Cameron County Judge Carlos H. Cascos has ordered the closure of beach access No. 5 and No. 6 on the northern part of South Padre Island due to the high tides and dangerous conditions.
He also issued a directive closing Isla Blanca and Boca Chica beaches as well.
Cascos issued both orders this morning and said the county is working with the Texas Department of Transportation to also make sure the highway department closes Parkway 100 in the vicinity of the two beach accesses for the same reason.
“I have asked our law enforcement authorities to ensure that no individuals go past this area of land,” Cascos said. “It is very important that the public pay attention to our warnings and stay away from harms way.”
He has also asked law enforcement authorities to make sure no vehicles are allowed on Boca Chica or Isla Blanca.
"Tropical Storm Alex is predicted to become a hurricane in the next few hours and we are already beginning to have wind gusts and high tides on our beaches," Cascos said.
This latest orders follows one Cascos issued on Monday ordering all high profile vehicles off the Isla Blanca and Andy Bowie county parks.
The judge issued the directive after the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center indicated Alex was on track to affect the Gulf Coast region.
As of 10 a.m., Tropical Storm Alex was located 355 miles southeast of Brownsville. Alex is now moving toward the northwest at 12 mph. A gradual turn toward the west-northwest is expected on Wednesday.
On the forecast track, Alex will approach the coast of northeastern Mexico and Southern Texas on Wednesday and make landfall landfall Wednesday night.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph.
Cameron County Parks Director Javier Mendez said he is seeking the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard to help patrol the northend beaches to make sure no one is on them.
Mendez said the Island is already experiencing storm surge.
Of the 600 high profile vehicles on the county parks, 203 have since evacuated, Mendez said.
He added the park's personnel continue to notify owners of these vehicles that they need to evacuate.
"I think there's a small window of time...if they don't follow this they may not be able to get off," Mendez said.
