Disaster Declaration Issued in Anticipation of Tropical Storm Dolly

AUSTIN, July 22, 2008 – Gov. Rick Perry today issued a disaster declaration in response to the imminent threat posed by Tropical Storm Dolly to Aransas, Bexar, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Willacy counties. The governor’s declaration allows the state to initiate necessary preparedness efforts, such as pre-deploying resources requested by local officials to ensure their communities are ready to respond to severe weather.

"Tropical Storm Dolly has the potential to make landfall along the Texas coast, so the state is taking all steps necessary to ensure the safety of our residents," said Gov. Perry. "I urge Texans to continue monitoring the storm’s progress and heeding warnings from local officials."

National Weather Service projections show Tropical Storm Dolly passing through waters favorable for strengthening before making landfall in south Texas Wednesday mid-day.

Yesterday, Gov. Perry ordered the following state resources activated and actions to be taken:

• 1,200 National Guard troops in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas
• 250 buses staged in San Antonio
• Texas Task Force 1 in Bryan/College Station
• Texas Task Force 2 in Dallas to be on standby
• Texas Forest Service Lonestar Task Force
• The Texas Department of Transportation is displaying public service announcements in coastal counties advising residents to keep their gas tanks full
• The Texas fuel industry is increasing fuel loads to the Texas coast to meet increased demand
• Volunteer organizations such as the Salvation Army and American Red Cross are preparing to assist residents in the impacted area and those who have evacuated
• The Texas Department of State Health Services is coordinating medical needs for shelter locations and aid sites, and has placed 20 ambulances on call within the potentially affected area

Additional emergency resources are available for activation and deployment as needed at the request of local officials.

The State Operations Center is conducting daily conference calls with local officials, first responders, mass care providers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Weather Service to assess the latest weather projections and to coordinate state and local preparation and response.

To read the latest situation report from the State Operations Center, please visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/sitrepindex.htm. For updated information on hurricane preparedness efforts, please visit www.texasonline.com.