State

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is reporting that some state parks have closed and others are accepting evacuees as the remnants of Hurricane Gustav blow into the state.

Several Texas State Parks in southeast and northeast Texas closed Monday. TPWD officials said evacuees from storm-damaged areas may tent camp at no cost in the state parks that are still open, and they may stay in cabins or screen shelters at discounted rates.

The Texas State Parks reservation center encourages the public to phone individual state parks to see whether a park is closed or accepting evacuees.

TPWD also has more than 230 game wardens and equipment deployed or ready to deploy to respond to Hurricane Gustav. There are three "strike teams" consisting of 50 personnel in each unit. The units include game wardens, supervisors, radio technicians, GIS teams and boat mates geared up with trucks, boats and fuel trailers. These three teams are stationed in Navasota and Tyler. One of the teams staging in Navasota is poised to deploy into Louisiana should the need arise, TPWD officials said.

In addition to these strike teams, there are 40 wardens on standby in the Houston area and 40 in the Rusk area equipped with boats and trucks.

The following updates are in effect for Texas State Parks:

PARKS CLOSED:

Atlanta State Park

Caddo Lake