Flooding feared along U.S.-Mexico border from Dolly

By Joe Mitchell

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Reuters) - Hurricane Dolly, which lashed the U.S.-Mexico coastline, was expected to weaken to a tropical depression later on Thursday but concern remained over flooding along the populous Rio Grande Valley.

The full effect of the flooding might not be seen for days as rain flows into the region that is home to more than 1 million people.

Dolly, the first hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic storm season to cross land, dumped up to 12 inches (30 cm) of rain in the first hours after coming ashore at the barrier island of South Padre Island on Wednesday, where it ripped off roofs and snapped trees.

About 245,000 homes in the valley were without power on Thursday afternoon, according to the state's grid operator.

Dolly was downgraded to a tropical storm late on Wednesday and remained at that strength as it moved inland, dumping enormous amounts of rain on south Texas and northeast Mexico and with sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph).

The U.S. National Hurricane Centre in Miami said it could produce total rainfall of up to 20 inches (50 cm) in some places. "These rains are very likely to cause widespread flooding," it said.

The Centre of the storm at 2 p.m. EDT (7:00 p.m. British time) was 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Laredo, Texas, near the border.

DISASTER AREAS