Don nears Texas coast, could deliver needed rain

Tropical Storm Don is expected to make landfall late FridayThe expected track of the storm is farther south than earlier predictedThe storm could bring up to seven inches of rain to some areas

(CNN) -- Tropical Storm Don was poised to make landfall late Friday on a popular stretch of beach in south Texas, but the promise of much-needed rain for much of the parched state dimmed as the storm aimed farther south than previously predicted.

The storm was forecast to make landfall on the Padre Island National Seashore, between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, between 9 p.m. and midnight, according to CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen. The seashore is not heavily populated.

Don, well shy of hurricane force-winds of 74 mph, is expected to weaken significantly after landfall, the Hurricane Center said. While heavy rain is predicted for coastal areas Friday night and Saturday, the National Weather Service predicts a 40% chance or less of scattered storms farther inland.

For example, the chance of rain was 20% in San Antonio, San Angelo and Abilene.

A narrow band west of the landfall could see between 5 inches and 7 inches of rain, but Friday's predicted track shows the storm mainly drenching mountains in a slice of southern Texas and northern Mexico, then quickly dissipating by Sunday.

At 4 p.m. CDT, Don had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and higher gusts as it spun toward the west-northwest at 16 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was about 95 miles southeast of Corpus Christi and about 105 miles northeast of Brownsville.

Storm surge will increase water levels a foot or two over normal in the immediate landfall area, the Hurricane Center said.

A tropical storm warning remained in effect Friday afternoon from the mouth of the Rio Grande River to Matagorda, Texas.

With the winds expected at landfall to be in the 50 to 60 mph range, limited damage is forecast, according to Hennen.

David Villareal, who operates David's Fishing Lodge in Port Mansfield, said, "I don't see anyone panicking or boarding up."

Port Mansfield is a departure point for those hoping to catch speckled trout and redfish in Laguna Madre, the bay between the mainland and Padre Island.

Companies with personnel along the Texas coast took precautions as the storm neared.

ExxonMobil began evacuating nonessential personnel from offshore facilities in the path of the storm Thursday, spokesman Patrick McGinn said. Gross production of approximately 8,000 barrels per day of liquids and 50 million cubic feet per day of natural gas was shut down.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a warning Thursday afternoon, urging people to plan and prepare ahead of the storm. The statement cautions residents to stay clear of beaches, to take action early -- including securing boating equipment and hazardous materials -- and to evacuate as necessary.

Any rain would be a welcome relief for many Texas farmers, who are suffering from the third worst drought in recorded history, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But most farmers had adopted an "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude toward the speculation earlier this week that Don could bring rain to the state, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said Thursday.

CNN's Chelsea Bailey and Molly Green contributed to this report.

Quoting : CNN.com