The Associated Press
Read more: Hurricane Dolly hits Texas

Texas National Guard Spcl. Jason Castillo, from New Braunfels, carries water for Hurricane Dolly victims Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

WASHINGTON — President Bush has declared a major disaster in Texas after Hurricane Dolly hits the state with 100 mph winds.

Thursday's declaration means federal funding will be available for the following counties: Aransas, Bexar, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, and Willacy.

Federal funding will also be available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials say damage surveys have been requested and will be conducted as soon as the situation allows it.

Dolly slammed ashore as a Category 2 hurricane midday Wednesday and since then has loitered over deep South Texas as a tropical storm, dumping as much as a foot of rain in places.