Posted on 09/12/2008 5:12:09 AM PDT by NautiNurse
Large and dangerous Hurricane Ike approaching the Upper Texas coast. Mandatory evacuations began in earnest Thursday as an estimated one million coastal residents headed inland. There were widespread reports of gas stations running out of fuel.
The National Weather Service posted dire storm surge predictions of 20-25 ft storm surge along the coast and bay heads. Hurricane warnings covered a 400 mile swath of the Gulf of Mexico.
Wholesale gasoline prices spiked 30 percent Thursday, or nearly $1 a gallon, out of fear of what Ike might do.
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| Category | Wind Speed | Barometric Pressure | Storm Surge | Damage Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Depression |
< 39 mph < 34 kts |
Minimal | ||
| Tropical Storm |
39 - 73 mph 34 - 63 kts |
Minimal | ||
| Hurricane 1 (Weak) |
74 - 95 mph 64 - 82 kts |
28.94" or more 980.02 mb or more |
4.0' - 5.0' 1.2 m - 1.5 m |
Minimal damage to vegetation |
| Hurricane 2 (Moderate) |
96 - 110 mph 83 - 95 kts |
28.50" - 28.93" 965.12 mb - 979.68 mb |
6.0' - 8.0' 1.8 m - 2.4 m |
Moderate damage to houses |
| Hurricane 3 (Strong) |
111 - 130 mph 96 - 112 kts |
27.91" - 28.49" 945.14 mb - 964.78 mb |
9.0' - 12.0' 2.7 m - 3.7 m |
Extensive damage to small buildings |
| Hurricane 4 (Very strong) |
131 - 155 mph 113 - 135 kts |
27.17" - 27.90" 920.08 mb - 944.80 mb |
13.0' - 18.0' 3.9 m - 5.5 m |
Extreme structural damage |
| Hurricane 5 (Devastating) |
Greater than 155 mph Greater than 135 kts |
Less than 27.17" Less than 920.08 mb |
Greater than 18.0' Greater than 5.5m |
Catastrophic building failures possible |
Previous Threads:
Hurricane Ike Live Thread II
Hurricane Ike Live Thread I
TS Hanna, Hurricane Ike & TS Josephine [Other than that, the tropics are calm]
Tropical Storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine, TD Gustav (Other than that, the tropics are calm)
Per current projections, http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200809_surge.html?MR=1, Deer Park is forcast for a 30' storm surge. Add the wind and the waves and this = complete devastation. I doubt anyone could survive that. The PSI involved in large hurricane storm surges (such as this) compare with the pressures of a nuclear blast. Only roads and sidewalks remain and most will be buried under debris.
There was a post yesterday referred to me suggesting that the NHC official policy has hyped their tone up to scare people more in the last year or so. That may account for the difference we’re seeing. It certainly makes it more difficult for me to evaluate, since they decided to change their wording of these advisories.
My niece and her family live in Deer Park, but teach in Channelview. I don’t know if the schools are closed, but they usually go to his folks in Nac.
I guess that answers my question! Thanks Justa.
About ten mins. ago I heard Fox news say there is a new warning which says all people in low lying areas in Houston should get out.
I don’t remember if she’s the same. She said she’s six feet above the 20-ft sea wall so assumes this gives her a 26 ft advantage.
I really don’t think she gets what’s about to hit the island.
Twelve feet what? Above sea level? With a storm surge of 20 feet expected and up to 50 foot waves?
Sharpie on the chest is a good idea. If they find your body it would be useful information. Don't forget your FR account information so that we know it's you.
Off topic:
McCains are coming up on
The View, if you can handle
it. My remote is at hand.
The schools are closed in Channelview as well as all over SE Tx.
the model is NOT GOOD beyond TX
that was my whole point... it’s not going to be a hurricane in detroit - but the “best” model has been doing that for two days now.
Remember that woman who always said “Where is the beef?” Well, I say “Where is the Gulf?” That picture shows the storm takes up most of the GOM!
Headline News just had a coastal
shot with waves looking those that
hit Cuba ... terrifying.
Gov Perry has ordered all low areas in Houston to LEAVE NOW!
Looks like you have folks profiteering from this hurricane.
The dem mayor did not order folks to go until 5:00 PM yesterday and only for the western side of the island.... even though the Gov. and the National weather service warned them repeatedly to get out!
Looks like we are in for another Nagin Nada moment!
(snip)
“When Hurricane Ike approached Galveston, on September 10 at noon Thomas said that although she did not expect to be ordering an evacuation, she asked for a voluntary evacuation of the western part of the island. At 5 PM this hardened to a mandatory order and she suggested voluntary evacuation for the rest of the island.
Thomas ordered the full evacuation 9:30 AM on September 11, in a news conference with Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough. She told the media at the time that she had wanted to avoid an evacuation order.”
(EYE ROLL)
I’m still unable to find a contour map of Galveston Island.
The highest elevation I’ve seen mentioned on it so far is 5 meters.
If that is the case, it will be gone on Sunday.
Just saw on KHOU that the roads leaving Galveston are starting to flood. If people dont leave now, they wont be able to shortly.
Schools are all closed today. A few of them south of us were closed yesterday too.
http://3dnature.com/anim/Galveston_TX-20ft-high.mp4
That is an animation of a 20’ surge in Galveston!
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