Hurricane Dolly lashed out at the Texas coast packing 100 mph winds and causing widespread damages. Hurricane Dolly was a category 2 hurricane as it made landfall Wednesday afternoon. By late Wednesday, the storm was reduced to a tropical storm and is now well inland over South Texas. According to the National Weather Service, while some heavy rain is still associated with the storm, Dolly is expected to be downgraded to a tropical depression within 24 hours. While thousands will be left to clean up the debris and wait for power to be restored, no deaths have been reported yet.

With high temperatures throughout much of the United States, many people hear the term Dog Days of Summer. The name for this hot portion of summer comes from the ancient Egyptians and has a basis in the stars. In Egypt and Rome, the "dog star" Sirius was in the sky at the same time as the Sun and many believed Sirius was the cause for adding the excessive mid-summer heat. Read more on the origin of the Dog Days of Summer.

Tropical Storm Cristobal

Located Southwest of Nova Scotia, tropical storm Cristobal is ready to head out to sea. While not a particularly destructive storm system, Cristobal brought heavy rain to North Carolina and other coastal areas. The storm system is moving at 25 mph with gusty but sustained winds of 65 mph. The storm is weakening and the National Weather Service is no longer issuing tropical storm warnings.

Hurricane Dolly

With more than 20 inches of rain expected, Texas residents are preparing for tropical storm Dolly. After drenching the Yucatan Peninsula, Dolly is expected to cause some problems in the coastal portions of Texas. Flooding and storm surges are one danger if this storm with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph. Although the hurricane warning from Corpus Christ to Port O'Conner has been changed to a tropical storm warning, Texas residents should prepare for a tropical storm and stay tuned to weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The core of tropical storm dolly is expected to hit the extreme Southern portions of Texas by Wednesday. UPDATE: South Padre Island was hit by hurricane Dolly packing 100 mph winds and knocking out electricity for thousands. Read the full story at CNN.com.

Tropical Depression Elida

In the Eastern Pacific ocean, hurricane Elida has weakened to a tropical depression. Hurricane Elida formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the Central American coast on July 12, 2008. While the storm reached a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, wind speeds are now just 35 mph. The storm is heading westward out to sea South of Hawaii.

Typhoon Kalmaegi

Typhoon Kalmaegi, which means seagull, has killed at least 19 people since it hit Taiwan according to China Daily. As with most tropical storm systems that hit coastal areas, heavy rains and flooding have caused millions in damages. Read more information on the difference between a hurricane, typhoon, and tropical cyclone.

As if these storm systems are not enough of an assault, another tropical storm system is forming off the coast of Africa. More details will be available as the storm develops. Meanwhile, read more on how tropical storms form in Africa.

In the Northwestern United States, evidence suggests there was a flood that covered thousands of acres of land creating what has been called the Scablands of Washington. Now, PBS will be exploring the topic of glacial flooding in a special to air tonight July 22, 2008. You will not want to miss this event. With an accompanying website called Mystery of the Megaflood, NOVA proves it is a leader in science education.