HOUSTON (AP) -- An emergency official in south Texas says he'd rather be safe than sorry in preparing for Hurricane Dean.

Johnny Cavazos in Cameron County is preparing for the hurricane as if it's going to be a direct hit. Authorities have passed out sandbags, evacuated jail and prison inmates and opened emergency operations centers.

There's a state of emergency in the resort town of South Padre Island.

A Home Depot in Brownsville ran out of its supply of plywood Sunday as people rushed to board up windows. Other customers crowded the store scooping up batteries, generators, water and flashlights.

The head of FEMA says up to 100,000 people might have to evacuate the southeast Texas coast if Dean shifts north toward Brownsville.

Right now, forecasters say it's on course to strike northern Mexico Wednesday.