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Hurricane Dolly lashes Gulf Coast Hurricane Dolly lashes Gulf Coast
(about 3 hours later)
Hurricane Dolly has hit the Mexico-Texas coast, lashing the region with winds of up to 100mph (161km/h).Hurricane Dolly has hit the Mexico-Texas coast, lashing the region with winds of up to 100mph (161km/h).
Dolly dumped about 12in (30cm) of rain over Texas before weakening from a category two to a category one storm, says the US national weather service. Dolly dumped about 12in (30cm) of rain over Texas before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved inland, says the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Towns and cities in the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas were put on alert in case the rain causes flooding.Towns and cities in the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas were put on alert in case the rain causes flooding.
Power cuts have left more than 12,000 customers without electricity, according to a Texas power company. Power cuts have left more than 27,000 customers without electricity, according to a Texas power company.
The hurricane weakened after crossing Texas's South Padre Island, but officials cautioned that the danger had not passed and warned of inland flooding in the coming days.
About 5,000 people sought refuge in public shelters in three Texas counties hit hardest by the storm.
Earlier, residents were urged to move away from levees in case they were breached.Earlier, residents were urged to move away from levees in case they were breached.
"Preparation to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami warned. But shortly before its centre came ashore, the storm veered north and away from the flood walls.
"The levees are holding up just fine, there is no indication right now that they are going to crest," Johnny Cavazos, emergency coordinator for Cameron County, said.
Storm surgeStorm surge
The leading edge of the storm reached Texas's South Padre Island before dawn, damaging the roof of an apartment building. The leading edge of the storm reached South Padre Island before dawn, damaging the roof of an apartment building.
The causeway linking the island to the mainland had been closed earlier. In pictures: Dolly hits Gulf CoastThe causeway linking the island to the mainland had been closed earlier. In pictures: Dolly hits Gulf Coast
Forecasters have predicted Dolly would bring a coastal storm surge of up to 6ft (1.8m) above normal. The National Hurricane Center said Dolly could dump up to 20in (51cm) of rain in South Texas and north-eastern Mexico in the coming days.
Based on Dolly's projected path, the US Census Bureau said that about 1.5 million Texans could feel the storm's effects.Based on Dolly's projected path, the US Census Bureau said that about 1.5 million Texans could feel the storm's effects.
Cari Lambrecht, a spokesman for Hidalgo County, Texas, said that shelters able to hold about 400 people have been opened. Cari Lambrecht, a spokesman for Hidalgo County, Texas, said people in low-lying areas were being encouraged to use public shelters.
She said they were encouraging people in low-lying areas to use the shelters.
"It's so much easier for them to go now instead of us having to pull them out later," she said."It's so much easier for them to go now instead of us having to pull them out later," she said.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has called up 1,200 National Guard members to help in any emergency caused by the hurricane.Texas Governor Rick Perry has called up 1,200 National Guard members to help in any emergency caused by the hurricane.
In Mexico, Governor Eugenio Hernandez of the state of Tamaulipas, said officials planned to evacuate 23,000 people to government shelters in Matamoros, Soto La Marina and San Fernando. In Mexico, Governor Eugenio Hernandez of the state of Tamaulipas, said 50 neighbourhoods were still in danger from flooding and about 13,000 people had taken refuge in government shelters.
"Strong winds are no longer the problem. Now we have to worry about intense rain in the next 24 hours," Mr Hernandez said.
In the Gulf of Mexico, Shell Oil evacuated workers from oil rigs, but said it did not expect production to be affected.In the Gulf of Mexico, Shell Oil evacuated workers from oil rigs, but said it did not expect production to be affected.
Have you been affected by Hurricane Dolly? What preparations have you made? Use the form below to send us your comments and pictures:Have you been affected by Hurricane Dolly? What preparations have you made? Use the form below to send us your comments and pictures:
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