Hurricane Alex poses no immediate threat to the safety of horses residing Gulf Coast communities, according to owners in the region.

The first storm of the 2010 season, Hurricane Alex began pelting Brownsville, South Padre Island, and Los Fresnos, Texas with heavy rains and strong winds on Wednesday, June 30. The Category 1 storm is expected to continue produce similar severe weather conditions in Louisiana.

"We're just fine, and the horses are just fine," said Dan Miller, owner of Dan Miller II Horse Farms in Brownsville.

Even so, the Texas Animal Health Commission has activated its area command to advise horse owners about evacuation options in case the storm intensifies, said Commission Public Information Assistant, Leisa Fletcher