Dolly Storms Toward Texas

Tropical Storm Dolly is en route to hurricane status, and hurricane conditions are expected by the end of today on the southern Texas coast near the Mexican border, Reuters reports. With winds currently around 50mph, Dolly is crossing the Gulf of Mexico from where it emerged over the Yucatan peninsula.

Experts expect Dolly to miss drilling rigs and other oil-producing structures, but oil futures rose $2 per barrel on concerns that the storm could interfere with Gulf operations. When Dolly hits land, possibly near Brownsville, Texas, it is expected to have wind speeds up to 86mph, making it a Category 1 storm. Texans are preparing for the onslaught, buying plywood and filling gas tanks. (More hurricane stories.)