The prospect of a storm warning is normally cause for most American states to prepare for the worst.

But rather than bracing themselves for relentless rain and destructive cyclones, locals in Texas are welcoming the perfect storm in the hope it will end the state's months of drought.

Parts of Texas are 15 inches short of their average rainfall this year, meaning the predicted downpours from Tropical Storm Don are being actively welcomed.

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© AFP/ Getty ImagesOn its way: A graphic shows Tropical Storm Don brewing near the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, with the cyclone expected to hit Texas over the weekend
The storm's five to seven inches of predicted rain will help alleviate Texas's water shortages and dying crops when the cyclone sweeps in from the Gulf of Mexico.

Danielle Hale, Emergency Management Director in Corpus Christi, Texas, said: 'Someone's going to get it. We hope that it's us.'

The extent of the drought in Texas is so severe that experts believe even the heavy downpours of Tropical Storm Don will not provide enough rain.

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© The Weather ChannelPredicted path: Tropical Storm Don is expected to pass through Texas on Friday night and Saturday morning, with wind speeds between 30mph and 60mph
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© The Weather ChannelLet it rain: Houston, Brownsville and Laredo in Texas have all suffered in the drought and will be hoping for heavy rain
Texas State Climatologist John Nielson-Gammon, said: 'Hopefully we will get more tropical storms and not get hurricanes. We could use the rain, but not the wind.'

Although heavy rain is expected across Texas when Tropical Storm Don hits, as yet the storm has not carried with it damaging winds or a destructive surge.

The cyclone is the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, with tropical storm warnings in place across the Texas coast from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass.

It is hoped the 'perfect storm' will bring enough rain to ease the drought concerns across Texas, whilst not causing too much damage at the same time.

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© Associated PressBegging for rain: Much-needed thunderstorms are expected to slightly alleviate the severe droughts across Texas
Storm Don, which formed on Wednesday, should reach land by around 1am local time on Saturday without reaching hurricane strength.

Students were evacuated from a college campus over the weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas, as a precaution, and it is thought some beach access roads may be closed on Friday as the storm approaches.

The cyclone is predicted to reach land as a tropical storm or a very minimal hurricane.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, who helped Houston handle the devastation of Hurricane Ike three years ago, said: 'We're all keeping our fingers crossed.

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© Associated PressThere's a storm coming: Heavy wind and rain sweeps through the Gaviota Azul beach in Cancun, Mexico on Thursday on its way to the Texan coast
'It could turn out to be just what we need, a good rain event.'

The storm has not been welcomed in all parts of Texas however, as concerns have been raised that the heavy rain and wind could flatten the state's lucrative cotton crops.

The state produces half of America's total cotton crop, but much of the cotton could be rendered unharvestable depending on the severity of the storm.

Jeff Nunley of the South Texas Cotton and Grain Association, said: 'Cotton farmers here are right in the middle of harvest.

'As you can imagine, those unharvested acres have every dollar you can spend invested in them except harvest, so this could be devastating.'

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© Getty ImagesWater-starved: The remains of a cow can be seen in Tulia, Texas, which is suffering the worst months of drought in its history
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© Getty ImagesWater shortage: Parts of Texas have suffered a 15 inch shortfall in rain for this time of year