Padre Island National Seashore set to reopen Thursday after cleaning up from Hurricane Hanna

After being closed for weeks due to damage from Hurricane Hanna, Padre Island National Seashore will reopen at 6 a.m. Thursday, according to a Facebook post from the park Wednesday.

Access to most areas will be available, including North and South beaches, Bird Island Basin day-use area and Malaquite beach. Developed campgrounds at Malaquite and Bird Island Basin remain closed, PINS said in the post.

Primitive camping will be allowed on North and South beaches and overnight parking may resume at the Bird Island Basin boat ramp. The dock, however, at the boat ramp is being rebuilt and will not be available until further notice.

READ ALSO: Photos show the damage left behind by Hurricane Hanna, keeping Padre Island National Seashore closed for weeks

PINS advises guests to be aware when visiting as the park is continuing to repair and clean up the debris from Hurricane Hanna, which was the first of the Atlantic hurricane season. It made landfall July 26 in South Texas, causing flooding, power outages and beach closures in the region.

According to PINS, Hanna was one of the few hurricanes that have historically hit close to and south of Corpus Christi. In 1980, Hurricane Allen caused similar damage to the beach and even destroyed its original visitor center.

While Hanna was a mild storm, PINS said the strong winds and surge created large debris piles with hazards near the access points.

“Please drive safely while in the park and watch out for workers and equipment,” PINS wrote. “There is still a large amount of lightweight plastic debris on the beach that was brought in with the storm surge.”

The national park encourages guests who are interested in helping clean the beach to stop by the visitor center complex and ask for a trash bag.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre