In my town, we receive reverse 911 automated calls, with threats that electricity will be cut off prior to the storm.
Ike coming dangerously close to Houston area
http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2008/09/post_47.html
Which reminds me. Cordless phones do not work when the power is out so always keep a corded phone on hand!
Just something I learned from experience. lol
NN,
Based on what I see in this storm... it IS getting pretty close to panic time for SOUTH Houston. I hope people are not being complacent because the winds are only 100 mph. I believe the winds are just low at the moment because 1) It’s passing over some cooler water, and 2) the eye wall is restructuring itself.
In the next 24 hours, the eye will be going over much warmer water... If these dual wind bands combine into a single eye, everything else is in place for this storm to blow up to a Cat 4 in a BIG hurry. The central pressure is already low enough...and, this is the biggest factor in storm surge anyway.
Current forecast models predict a landfall near Freeport in the early morning hours of Saturday.... right at high tide.
If that scenario holds up, it is going to be devastating for Houston. Several years ago, I did some computer modeling work with the NWS to look at potential storm surge affects in Galveston Bay and Clear Lake. The entire results were never released publicly.... they were THAT BAD!.
Basically, everything east of I-45, from about Nasa Rd 1 south... gets covered with water. Some places, like the beautiful South Shore Harbor areas, are 10-15’ under.
I went to Port Arthur,Tx and Sulphur, La days after Rita hit. The level of destruction was frightening. If that level of wind/surge hit near Freeport... oh my.
So please.... anyone living in League City... Dickinson.. Texas City... Santa Fe... Galveston... Clute.. Lake Jackson... DO NOT STICK AROUND!
If you’re less than 20’ elevation...and within 15 miles of the coast... then you are NOT safe. If you’re in a higher elevation area then, it’s your decision based on how strong you think your dwelling is.
My prayers for all of you... I HOPE and PRAY that I”m wrong.. and, Ike stays weak, or moves somewhere else.