(July 21, 2008)--Gov. Rick Perry activated 1,200 National Guard troops and other emergency personnel Monday as South Texas residents keep a watchful eye on Tropical Storm
Dolly.
Mindful of the disastrous evacuation before Hurricane Rita hit the Texas Gulf Coast in 2005, Perry also ordered 250 buses to be staged in San Antonio and fuel teams ready to keep gas stations supplied and help stranded motorists.
During the 2005 evacuation, far more people died from heat-related injuries and auto accidents fleeing the storm than from the storm itself.
Dolly was expected to bring high winds and dump 10 to 20 inches of rain in coastal areas near the border later this week.
Emergency officials feared major flooding problems and urged coastal residents to prepare.
“Texans should take proper precautions now to ensure that they are prepared for possible severe weather in their communities,” Perry said.
“Residents should remain vigilant, heed the warnings from their local officials and continue monitoring this storm.”
The National Hurricane Center in Miami announced a hurricane watch from Brownsville north to Port O'Connor Monday morning.
In Cameron County, officials were alerting workers to be ready to help residents evacuate flood-prone areas.
At a Home Depot in Brownsville, store operations manager John Paul Martinez said business Monday morning was up about 25 percent as residents came in for plywood, generators, batteries and flashlights.
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