Don closes on Texas coast, will spread much-needed rain

BP, ExxonMobil, Anadarko, Apache and Royal Dutch Shell shut in output from offshore platforms

--U.S. government says 6.8% of Gulf oil production, 2.8% of natural gas shut-in

--Tropical Storm Don moving toward Texas coast

--Don isn't expected to gain hurricane strength, NHC said

--ExxonMobil begins storm preparations at Baytown, Texas, refinery, nation's largest

(Adds tropical storm warnings in 4th paragraph and updates storm location in 5th paragraph)

Don had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) with higher gusts at 5 a.m. ET, quickly spinning toward the west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph).

The storm was about 290 miles (470 km) southeast of Corpus Christi and about 245 miles (395 km) east of Brownsville.

"Some strengthening is possible until landfall, with weakening likely by Saturday morning," the hurricane center said.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (170 km), but mainly to the north and east of the storm's center.

It's not often that news of a tropical storm is welcomed, but Don's expected heavy rainfall may prove to be a silver lining for Texas.

"Some parts of Texas are more than 15 inches below average (for rainfall). This storm will likely not be a drought-buster, but could at least put a dent in and around where the storm makes landfall," CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said Thursday. If Don "does not intensify into a hurricane, this is likely a good thing."

Any rain would be a welcome relief for many Texas farmers, who are suffering from the third worst drought in recorded history, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Most farmers have adopted an "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude when it comes to predicted rain, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said.

He also noted that even with the drought, this rain might not be a good thing for cotton farmers in coastal regions.

"We needed the rain during the growing season and we're getting it during harvesting -- it's the complete reverse here," he said.

"Along the Gulf Coast they're harvesting cotton and it could add insult to injury because the rain lowers the quality and makes harvesting difficult," he said. "All of this results in higher prices to the consumer because our supplies will be more limited."

Despite the drawbacks for the cotton industry, Staples said there's no denying the state desperately needs the rain.

"Unfortunately, no part of Texas has escaped the damage of this drought," he said. "We welcome Tropical Storm Don as much as we're looking forward to Friday night football.

Corpus Christi, Texas, resident Aubrey Carter, 87, has been diligently waking up at 3 a.m. to water her grass during the designated water restrictions.

"We are looking forward to Don coming because the drought has been so severe and everybody needs rain," she told CNN.

MaryJane Crull, marketing director at the South Texas Botanical Gardens in Corpus Christi, told CNN, "We're excited about it if Don remains a low-key tropical storm. ... We can handle six to eight inches of rain without a problem."

Wetlands on the property need the rain, Crull said.

"This will put water back in them and this will make birds and wildlife on our property happy and make visitors happy as well."

Companies with personnel along the Texas coast were quickly preparing.

ExxonMobil began evacuating nonessential personnel from offshore facilities in the path of the storm Thursday, spokesman Patrick McGinn said. Gross production of approximately 8,000 barrels per day of liquids and 50 million cubic feet per day of natural gas was shut down.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a warning Thursday afternoon, urging people to plan and prepare ahead of the storm. The statement cautions residents to stay clear of beaches, to take action early -- including securing boating equipment and hazardous materials -- and to evacuate as necessary.