I had not looked at the wide angle view of the WV channel - but saw that from the narrow shot. The wide angle you linked is a keeper of a photo, for sure. This thing didn’t care what it was going through - it made its own weather. The ridge that kept it at bay and forced it ever westward must have been extremely powerful... In fact, we know it was - more powerful even than modeled, because all the models kept trying to bring it north much sooner than this - UKMET finally broke with them and brought it toward Mexico instead just about a day or two before Cuba.
This is a very impressive storm. Much more impressive than most of them during the last decade. So unusual, I really think it is going to be extensively studied and we’ll learn a lot more than from the typical hurricane.
“... in fact, we know it [the ridge] was - more powerful even than modeled, because all the models kept trying to bring it [Ike] north much sooner than this - “
(clarification)
War underway at altitude over Missouri.
Ike’s fighting the upper midwest’s trough for dominance.
My money’s on Ike.
No question... even though it was not as bad for Galveston as it COULD have been... it was bad..
I just heard on CNN that the storm surge in Seabrook was >17’ I certainly hope jpsb was not hanging around in San Leon.
There was another Freeper (I forgot who) that was going to ride it out in Orange. Looks like Orange got hit as hard as anywhere... still flooded in most of the town.
If there is good news.... Word I have from close friends is: Most of the chemical plants and refineries suffered “minor” damage... and, expect to be back and running in a few days. Their biggest problem right now is: getting workers back. Many of them have no place to live anymore.
Most of these plants are designed to withstand 120 mph winds.