Hurricane Dolly hit mainland Texas today, bringing rain and high winds to the Brownsville and South Padre Island areas. Dolly is currently a category one hurricane, with winds at 86 miles per hour, but it could increase to a category two, with 96 miles per hour winds as it moves over Texas and towards the Mexican boarder.
The Rio Grande Valley, which lies in Dolly’s path, is preparing for flooding caused by the estimated 15 inches of rain the storm will bring. Brownsville and South Padre Island, TX are already feeling the storm’s pressure with road closures and evacuations. The causeway connecting South Padre Island to mainland Texas at Brownsville has been closed.
In addition to surge flooding of four to six feet caused by the rain, Hurricane Dolly will most likely spawn dangerous tornados in the area. Mexico is preparing to be hit by the storm and officials announced plans to evacuate 23,000 residents and place them in shelters.
For more information about Hurricane Dolly and the emergency in Brownsville and South Padre Island, TX, visit http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVWjsPEiqe1tEu2mhBIRaxxGi8owD923IU4G0