Go-Jamaica Weather Watch

United States President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency for the state of Texas, as Hurricane Alex is expected to make landfall later today.

Alex strengthened yesterday to become the first Hurricane of the Atlantic season.

A press release from the White House says federal aid would be made available to supplement state and local response efforts.

President Obama’s announcement comes after Texas Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to him requesting a pre-landfall emergency declaration.

The National Hurricane Centre has reported that on its current path, the center of the category one storm will make landfall just south of the US-Mexico border later today.