IAFF Readies for Hurricane Dolly

July 23, 2008 – As Hurricane Dolly makes its way onto the Texas shore, IAFF members are prepared and ready for the worst. The hurricane warning for the Category 2 storm is in effect for the state’s coast from Brownsville to Corpus Christi.

Current forecasts predict the eye of the hurricane will pass over Brownsville and IAFF Local 970. IAFF 11th District Vice President Sandy McGhee has been in contact with all locals in Dolly’s path and has been advised that area disaster preparation plans have been activated.

“I have alerted District Field Service Representative Joe Tellez and we are prepared to step in and assist as Dolly makes landfall and needs become apparent,” says McGhee. Meanwhile, IAFF 14th District Vice President Danny Todd has advised McGhee that a trailer filled with basic supplies is in Louisiana and ready for mobilization to Texas, if needed.

The National Hurricane Center expects Dolly to produce from six to 10 inches of rain, with up to 20 inches in some isolated areas. Because of rising water, there is some concern that levees along the Rio Grande may not hold, causing significant flooding.

In anticipation, Texas Governor Rick Perry has issued a disaster declaration for 14 counties. While evacuations will not be mandatory unless the hurricane is upgraded to a Category 3, several hundred residents have already left their homes and sought refuge in Cameron and Hidalgo county shelters.