Official Media Statement: Flood Impacts to TPWD
May 2, 2024
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
May 6- 11 a.m.
Texas State Parks continues to recover from flood impacts and encourages visitors to check park pages and the alert map for updates.
While emergency rescue operations are active, wildlife experts urge the public to focus on helping recovery and reporting dangerous conditions rather than displaced wildlife. Dispatch teams and hotlines are coordinating emergency first responders. Wildlife, in the meantime, are equipped by nature to take care of themselves in most situations.
Ten Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) have seen impacts from flood as well. Their statuses are as follows:
Complete Closures
- Old Sabine Bottom WMA
- Richland Creek WMA
- Big Lake Bottom WMA
Partial Closures
- White Oak Creek WMA
- Alazan Bayou WMA
- Cooper WMA
- North Toledo Bend WMA
- Alabama Creek WMA
- Angelina/Neches- Dam B
- Sam Houston National Forest WMA
Texas Game Wardens and Texas State Parks Police Officers continue to support local and county needs with rescues and evacuations. Current assets include personnel, search and rescue boats and drones (UAS – unmanned aircraft systems).
May 2- 2 p.m.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has seen impacts to multiple sites due to the recent, extended rain and flooding experienced by parts of the state.
State parks such as Huntsville, Village Creek and Fort Parker have closed. Once floodwaters recede, park areas will remain closed until repairs and cleanup have finished and areas are safe for public use.
For a full list of affected parks, visit the Texas State Parks Alert Map at texasstateparks.org. For assistance with current and future reservations, contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s State Parks Customer Service Center at 512-389-8900.
Texas Game Wardens and Texas State Parks Police Officers continue actively evacuating and rescuing Texans from floodwaters in multiple counties in collaboration with the Texas Department of Emergency Management’s State Operations Center.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement has deployed boats and drones to assist in search and rescue efforts. TPWD also has representatives at the State Operations Center while it is actively responding to the flooding event.
For images of affected parks and TPWD rescue efforts, visit the TPWD Flickr page.