p.s. I've done a lot of work pulling these threads together over the years to save time (and eyesight) in the long run.
Well, I’ve just been given notice to pack up and get ready to head for eastern Texas coastal region Monday morning for 7-14 days to assist in massive power restoration efforts. Have been told to expect and pack for primitive conditions, no hotel rooms, etc. I volunteered, so this ought to be a real challenging adventure. Seriously, pray for safety for all the linemen and line crews that will be out there in terrible conditions trying to get electricity back on. They really are heros in times like these. - OB1
As I discussed in yesterday's blog entry, a good measure of the storm surge potential is Integrated Kinetic Energy (IKE). Ike continues to grow larger and has intensified slightly since yesterday, and the hurricane's Integrated Kinetic Energy has increased from 134 to 149 Terajoules. This is 30% higher than Katrina's total energy at landfall. All this extra energy has gone into piling up a vast storm surge that will probably be higher than anything in recorded history along the Texas coast. Storm surge heights of 20-25 feet are possible from Galveston northwards to the Louisiana border. The Texas storm surge record is held by Hurricane Carla of 1961. Carla was a Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds at landfall, and drove a 10 foot or higher storm surge to a 180-mile stretch of Texas coast. A maximum storm surge of 22 feet was recorded at Port Lavaca, Texas.
Much more at Wunderground
Just interviewed a mother with two children and her sister staying on Galveston. Wants to take care of her house and her pets. Good Lord. Seconds later the years old pier in the background disappears into the ocean.