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Hurricane Paul threatens southern Baja

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MEXICO CITY - Tropical storm Paul was upgraded to a hurricane off Mexico's west coast on Sunday and was threatening southern Baja California, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The Mexican government issued a hurricane watch along the Baja California peninsula from Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip northward to Agua Blanca and across to La Paz on the east coast.

The storm was about 475 miles south of Baja California's southern tip late Sunday, the hurricane center said. Paul is a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. It was moving west about 5 mph.

It could strengthen during the next 24 hours, the hurricane center said. In order for Paul to become a Category 2 hurricane, it must have maximum sustained winds of 96 mph.

The storm could hit Baja California sometime Tuesday before moving to mainland Mexico near the state of Sinaloa if it follows its forecast path.

Mexico was hit by two Pacific hurricanes last month. Hurricane John battered a remote section of Baja California, killing five people and destroying 160 homes, while Hurricane Lane struck the Sinaloan resort town of Mazatlan, causing relatively minor damage.

Hurricane Paul threatens southern Baja (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061023/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/tropical_weather_12;_ylt=ArIdJjplIwAqLkt5csqATMa9IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA2ZGZwam4yBHNlYwNmYw--)

Perry Seeks Disaster Declaration for 9 Southeast Texas Counties

Governor Rick Perry today issued a disaster proclamation for nine Southeast Texas counties as a result of severe storms and flooding that began Oct. 15. The counties included in the disaster declaration are Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler.

The proclamation is the first step in working with local officials to prepare damage assessments that could qualify affected residents and employers for federal help.

Perry today also directed state officials to begin preparing for additional flooding from Hurricane Paul, should the storm continue on its current path.

“One of the most devastating flood events in Texas history occurred from the remnants of a Pacific hurricane in the fall of 1994, and resulted in 19 deaths and $1.2 billion in damage,” Perry said. “Given the rain-saturated conditions in East and Southeast Texas and the current track of Hurricane Paul, out of an abundance of caution I have directed appropriate state agencies be ready to be sent on search, rescue and recovery operations should the need arise.”

Pacific weather events also contributed to significant flooding, 31 deaths and at least $750 million in damage in 1998.

In response to on-going flooding in Southeast Texas, personnel from the Governor`s Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) have been working side-by-side with local officials to coordinate response and provide assistance with evacuations, flood rescues and sheltering.

The Governor also ordered deployment of two swift water rescue teams from Texas Task Force One to the area over the weekend, along with a team of 20 personnel and 16 high profile vehicles from the Texas Army National Guard. Eight game wardens with boats have also been assisting with evacuations.

Texas Department of Transportation road crews also have been sent to the area. The Public Utility Commission is working with local service providers to maintain utility service in the area. DPS aircraft has been assisting with aerial reconnaissance.

Preliminary reports indicate more than 100 homes have been affected by the flood. Teams from GDEM and local jurisdictions are in the area to assess the extent of the damages.

The governor`s disaster declaration opens the door to a variety of assistance from state agencies, including the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, (TDHCA), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Office of Rural And Community Affairs (ORCA).

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers emergency assistance through the disaster relief HOME program. This program can provide up to $500,000 per jurisdiction for distribution to qualified individual applicants.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service, which issues emergency assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, can assist communities with a range of projects such as debris removal, erosion control, and repair of bridges and culverts.

Upon request from the governor, qualifying communities with populations less than 50,000 and counties with populations less than 200,000 are eligible to receive up to $350,000 in emergency grants from the Office of Rural Community Affairs for infrastructure losses.

In preparation for Hurricane Paul, the governor has directed the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard to be prepared to send 250 high-profile vehicles and all available aviation assets to affected areas. The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and Texas Task Force One also are on stand-by to send boats and swift-water rescue teams if needed.