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Port Isabel to Host 25th Anniversary Remembrance of the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse 9/15

CommunityPress Release


 
Press Release: Port Isabel to Host 25th Anniversary Remembrance of Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/26/2026
 
PORT ISABEL TO HOST 25TH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE OF QUEEN ISABELLA CAUSEWAY COLLAPSE
 
Milestone observance set to honor the eight lives that were lost, the survivors and the first responders
 
PORT ISABEL, Texas — The City of Port Isabel will host the 25th Anniversary Remembrance of the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center in Port Isabel.
 
The solemn observance will commemorate 25 years since the September 15, 2001, collapse that claimed eight lives and forever affected the families, survivors, emergency responders and communities on both sides of the Laguna Madre.
 
The anniversary event will continue the traditional commemorative program with remarks from elected officials and community leaders. A U.S. Coast Guard color guard will present the colors as part of the ceremony.
 
The 25th anniversary program will feature a speaker panel offering additional perspectives on the collapse, the emergency response, the rebuilding of the causeway and the lasting effects of the tragedy on the Laguna Madre community.
 
The program will also include a screening of the Texas Department of Transportation documentary video chronicling the Queen Isabella Causeway collapse and its aftermath.
 
“Twenty-five years later, this tragedy remains a solemn and enduring part of our shared history,” said Port Isabel Mayor Martin Cantu Jr. “Today, we gather to honor the eight lives lost, extend our continued support to their families and survivors, and recognize the courage and dedication of the first responders, public servants, and community members who answered the call during an unimaginable crisis. Their sacrifice and service will forever remain a part of our community’s history, and their memory will never be forgotten.”
 
In the early morning hours of September 15, 2001, a barge struck the Queen Isabella Causeway, causing sections of the bridge to collapse into the Laguna Madre. The tragedy took eight lives and temporarily severed the only roadway connection between Port Isabel and South Padre Island.
 
In the hours and days that followed, local, state and federal agencies joined emergency responders, law-enforcement officers, public officials, volunteers and members of the community in rescue, recovery and transportation efforts. The causeway’s closure also created significant challenges for residents, workers and businesses throughout the Laguna Madre area.
 
The 25th anniversary remembrance will honor the eight individuals who lost their lives, recognize the survivors and their families, and pay tribute to those who participated in the emergency response, recovery and reconstruction.
“This anniversary is both a memorial and an opportunity to preserve the experiences of those who witnessed and responded to the tragedy,” said Jared Hockema, Port Isabel City Manager. “Their stories are an important part of the history shared by Port Isabel, South Padre Island and the entire Laguna Madre community.”
 
Event Information
What: 25th Anniversary Remembrance of the Queen Isabella Causeway Collapse
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center
Address: 309 E. Railroad Ave., Port Isabel, Texas
Admission: Free and open to the public
Additional information about the speaker panel and commemorative program will be announced as details are finalized.
 
Members of the media seeking additional information or interview opportunities should contact Valerie Bates, Marketing Director for the City of Port Isabel, at 956-374-9003 or info@copitx.com.
 
About the City of Port Isabel
Port Isabel is a historic coastal community located along the Laguna Madre in Cameron County, Texas. Through its municipal services, cultural programs, historic resources and community partnerships, the City of Port Isabel works to serve its residents, preserve local history and welcome visitors to the Laguna Madre region.
 
MEDIA CONTACT
Valerie Bates, Marketing Director
City of Port Isabel
956-374-9003
info@copitx.com
 

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