United States: Alex becomes first Atlantic hurricane of season.

Section: General News - Tropical Storm Alex has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic and Caribbean season and is heading for the Mexico-Texas border.

U.S. President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in the parts of Texas predicted to be hit, which will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says the first June Atlantic hurricane since 1995 is not on track to hit U.S. oil spill cleanup operations in the Gulf of Mexico. However, the U.S. Coast Guard said oil skimming operations have been suspended because the storm is causing rough waters and high winds.

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