Texas declared disaster area

AUSTIN, Texas, July 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Thursday issued a disaster declaration for parts of Texas slammed by Hurricane Dolly.

Dolly stormed ashore at South Padre Island Wednesday packing 100-mph winds and heavy rain.

Gov. Rick Perry, speaking at the state Capitol in Austin, said search-and-rescue missions have been started along the Texas-Mexico border and to the San Antonio area where an operations center has been set up, the Austin American-Stateman reported.

Perry said the state had prepared as if Dolly would become a Category 2 hurricane. He and the head of state homeland security said Texas is ready to handle the storm's aftermath.

Perry sought the federal disaster declaration from Bush.