A smoke alert has been issued in the Sabine Pass area after possible marsh fires cause several vehicle crashes Thursday morning, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office.

Though alligators are plentiful in the rivers, bayous, creeks and backwater sloughs of the eastern third of Texas, the massive creatures can be somewhat elusive. For stellar alligator observation opportunities, try these Texas parks, sanctuaries and wildlife refuges.

Nine workers who were trapped on a burning rig in Sabine Pass were rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

SABINE PASS, Texas – The Coast Guard has been searching for a 27-year-old man in the water near Sabine Pass since Wednesday evening. The man was last seen wearing an orange life jacket and coveralls with reflective tape, the Coast Guard said. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received notifications that the man was a crew member who had fallen overboard from the tanker vessel Sagami nearly 29 miles offshore. Watchstanders dispatched a search crew to look for the man, who hasn’t been found. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Sector Houston-Galveston command center at 281-464-4854.

Location 90 miles S of Knoxville Tennessee Wind 15 mph Heading E at 15 mph Pressure 29.77 Coordinates 84.1W, 34.5NDiscussionAt 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Delta was located near latitude 34.5 North, longitude 84.1 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the east near 15 mph, and this motion is expected to continue tonight and Monday morning. Maximum sustained winds are near 15 mph (30 km/h) with higher gusts. Some further weakening is possible tonight as a new surface low develops in the Carolinas, and Delta's surface low is expected to be absorbed by this new low pressure area on Monday. Moderate to major river flooring will continue across the Calcasieu and Mermentau river basins in Louisiana through much of next week

Location 60 miles NNE of Birmingham Alabama Wind 10 mph Heading NE at 10 mph Pressure 29.83 Coordinates 86.3W, 34.3NDiscussionAt 400 AM CDT (0900 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Beta was located near latitude 34.3 North, longitude 86.3 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the northeast near 10 mph (17 km/h) until it becomes indistinguishable within the background wind and pressure field by mid-afternoon Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 10 mph (20 km/h) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1010 mb (29.83 inches). Tropics Satellite at 3:39 Friday Night, September 25thWatches and WarningsThere are no watches or warnings in effect.