BP didn't consider hurricanes or tropical storms in its Gulf of Mexico oil spill response plan

WASHINGTON – Rep. Edward Markey says BP's disaster response plan for an oil spill doesn't mention hurricanes or tropical storms.

Markey says the omission is yet another example of what the oil giant was not prepared to handle.

The Massachusetts Democrat's comments came during a congressional hearing on a law to improve technology intended to prevent disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Officials responding to the oil spill in the Gulf Coast are scrambling to prepare for Hurricane Alex, which is expected to touch the lower half of the Rio Grande Valley tonight. The center of the storm is expected to hit 100 miles south of the U.S. border.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. lawmaker says BP's disaster response plan for an oil spill does not mention hurricanes or tropical storms.

Rep. Edward Markey says the omission is yet another example of what the oil giant was not prepared to handle.

The Democrat's comments came during a congressional hearing on a law to improve technology intended to prevent disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Officials responding to the oil spill in the Gulf Coast are scrambling to prepare for Hurricane Alex, which is expected to hit the South Texas coast this week.