"Further strengthening is likely and Dolly could become a hurricane during the next 24 hours," the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Maximum sustained winds were 50 mph at 8 a.m. EDT.

The storm was centered about 300 miles east-southeast of Tampico or 450 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas. It was moving west-northwest at 12 mph.

The storm's track gives hope to farmers

1. THE US NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE REPORTS THAT AS OF 1200 UTC 23 AUGUST 1996 A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHEAST COAST OF MEXICO FROM VERACRUZ NORTHWARD TO LA PESCA.

2. THE U.S. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATES THAT AS OF 1200 UTC 23 AUGUST 1996 THE CENTER OF HURRICANE DOLLY WAS LOCATED NEAR THE LATITUDE 21.7 NORTH, LONGITUDE 97.5 WEST OR ABOUT 40 MILES/65KM SOUTHEAST OF TAMPICO-MEXICO.

3. HURRICANE DOLLY IS MOVING TOWARD THE