Texas coastal flooding strands about 100 endangered turtles

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Experts say coastal flooding associated with May storms that buffeted other parts of Texas stranded about 100 endangered green sea turtles along the Gulf shore.

Jesse Gilbert with the Texas State Aquarium Wildlife Rescue Center said Monday that the young turtles “couldn’t beat the waves” last month and were pushed onto Padre Island National Seashore.

Officials transported the turtles to the aquarium in Corpus Christi for rehydration and rest. About 80 were returned to the Gulf of Mexico last Thursday. Gilbert experts most of the remaining turtles to be released this week.

About a half-dozen young turtles typically wash ashore each month during spring.

The National Weather Service on May 12 began issuing what became 11 days of coastal flooding advisories about strong southeasterly winds linked to storms farther north.