Jul. 22--Flooding appears to be the biggest threat to the Victoria area when Dolly makes landfall near Brownsville on Wednesday, emergency officials said.

But tropical storm force winds of 40 mph or higher and tornadoes are also a possibility.

"Our biggest threat seems to be after the storm makes landfall," said O.C. Garza, the city's public information officer. "We will probably receive lots of rain and some storm force winds, depending on where it tracks."

Forecasters issued a hurricane warning for the areas between Port O'Connor south to Brownsville. Tropical storm conditions are likely along the coast north of Port O'Connor, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecaster Tim Tinsley with the National Weather Service said general rains of 5 to 10 inches are not out of the question. Areas south of Victoria could receive up to 15 inches, he said.

"They're forecasting the system to slow as it comes to the coast," Tinsley said. "If it slows as much as they're expecting, we can expect heavy rain --very heavy rain."

That rain could begin tonight and continue through Thursday.

There is a 40- to 50-percent chance tropical storm winds will lash the Victoria area, according to the National Hurricane Center Web site. That's why emergency officials are urging residents to secure loose items in their yards, have canned goods and water on hand, top off fuel tanks and get prescriptions refilled.

Jeb Lacey, the Victoria County emergency management coordinator, said it's too early for him to feel comfortable telling people they should board up windows.

"Just be prepared for some high winds," he said. "But I don't want to say people need to go out and start buying all the plywood in town."

Dolly is forecast to make landfall with sustained winds of about 92 mph. But Tinsley said if it stays over the Gulf of Mexico long enough, it could become even stronger.

"The water in the western gulf is very warm, so that's something we have to prepare for," he said.

The surf is expected to run about two feet above the normal water level at Port O'Connor and beaches are forecast to flood.

David Tewes is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6515 or dtewes@vicad.com.

Hurricane Preparation tipsBefore the Storm: Keep your vehicles' gas tanks full. Stock non-perishable food supplies, prescription medication, a first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries in air-tight containers. Adjust refrigerator temperatures to the coldest settings to reduce the potential for food spoiling if the power is temporarily lost. Have a non-electric analog telephone or a fully-charged cell phone available in case you need to make an emergency call during a power outage. Heed the advice of local authorities. Evacuate if ordered. If an evacuation is necessary, unplug all appliances before leaving your home. During a Storm: Heed the advice of local authorities. Evacuate if ordered.