Texas says hello to Dolly

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, July 22 (UPI) -- Dolly, the second hurricane of the season, Tuesday raced toward the Texas coast as residents from Brownsville to Corpus Christi prepared for the worst.

At 5 p.m. EST, Hurricane Dolly was 175 miles east-southeast of Brownsville, traveling northwest at 10 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported. The Category 1 storm had sustained winds of 75 mph reaching out 15 miles and gusting higher. Dolly was expected to produce rain accumulations of 6 inches to 10 inches, with 15 inches possible in isolated areas.

Forecasters warned the coastal storm surge could be as much as 6 feet above normal tide, with dangerous, battering waves expected.

A hurricane warning was in effect from Brownsville to Corpus Christi while a tropical storm warning remained in effect from Corpus Christi to San Luis Pass.

Gov. Rick Perry put 1,200 National Guard troops on standby in preparation for landfall, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

"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."