(July 29, 2008)—For thousands of South Texans, Dolly could turn out to be the worst sort of hurricane.

It was strong enough to rip away their roofs and flood their homes, but it might not be devastating enough to draw an immediate offer of federal dollars to help them recover.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials fanned out across the Rio Grande Valley this week to begin the process of deciding whether Dolly's damage merits direct assistance.

Residents may need help paying for temporary housing, home repairs and to replace some of their belongings.

Dolly slammed ashore on the South Texas coast as a Category 2 hurricane packing 100 mph winds Wednesday.

It dumped more than a foot of rain in places.

For stronger hurricanes such as Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma, the offers of federal help for individuals came on the same day the storms made landfall in the U.S., but for lesser storms, the disaster declaration that brought federal dollars to individuals came two months after the storm had passed.