BREAKING NEWS: Officials urge to take early precautions for Hurricane Dean

Billy Ted Smith, emergency management coordinator for Jasper, Sabine and Newton counties, is urging residents to "top off their gas tanks on their vehicles as a precaution for Hurricane Dean's arrival on the Texas coast."

Smith also said any special needs residents need to register with the 211 system in the county. These residents are those who do not have transportation in case of an evacuation notice is especially urged to register with their county.

At this point, Smith said there is no determination of where Hurricane Dean will make landfall but emergency plans are being put in place in case the storm takes a north turn towards the upper Texas Gulf Coast.

Read the latest information on Hurricane Dean here and in the Aug. 22 edition of The Jasper Newsboy.