Erin Reaches Texas; Dean Becomes Hurricane

Tropical Storm Erin made landfall on the Texas coast this morning and became a tropical depression, bringing powerful rains and a risk of flash flooding to the saturated state. The governor ordered emergency vehicles to the area, northeast of Corpus Christi, but many vacationers were unconcerned. "Unless I see a shark or whale go flying by, I'm good," said one.

Meanwhile, former Tropical Storm Dean has formed into the first Atlantic hurricane of the season. Dean is aimed at the Lesser Antilles and could make landfall by tomorrow; it's not expected to hit Florida or elsewhere on the US coast. The hurricane is a category 1 but is projected to strengthen as it moves west. (More tropical storms stories.)