Sunday, September 14, 2008

High waters and rain hamper flood efforts

Flood levels continued to hamper rescue efforts after Hurricane Ike following heavy downpours and as water piled into the ship channel and Houston drainage system rushed toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Millions remain without power and many have no water or are forced to use bottled or boiled water because of low water pressure. Long lines for ice and gas are found throughout the Houston area.

Although media access has been limited, the hardest hit areas appear to be the Bolivar Peninsula, Crystal Beach, west Galveston Island, and areas near Port Arthur, although the later city escaped the worse damage.


Times Online
It's race against time to save Ike stalwarts
The Associated Press - 36 minutes ago
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - Rescue crews canvassed neighborhoods inundated by Ike's storm surge early Sunday morning, racing against time to save those who spent a second harrowing night trapped amid flattened houses, strewn debris and downed power lines.
Video: Hurricane Ike Evacuees Are Anxious to Go Home AssociatedPress
Massive hunt for Ike survivors USA Today
Los Angeles Times - New York Times - Washington Post - New York Daily

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Friday, September 12, 2008

Hurricane Ike tumbles toward Houston and Galveston

Massive Hurricane Ike lumbered toward the Gulf Coast on Friday heading for a probable landfall in the Houston-Galveston area.

Ike is predicted to make landfall as a strong Category 2 or possibly a weak Category 3 hurricane. However, Ike may cause damage well beyond its hurricane force winds. The large size of the storm and its long track over the Gulf have built up a huge column of water ahead of Ike along with higher wave action.

Storm surge may reach up to 25 feet in some areas, with strong waves lapping over the top of the surge. Hurricane Katrina caused storm surge of 24 to 26 feet in Mississippi, but mostly along thinly populated areas. If Ike lands to the near west of Galveston and Houston it would strongly impact a much more heavily-populated area than Katrina in terms of storm surge, since New Orleans was west of Katrina were the surge is much lighter.

Ike's hurricane force wind field extends about 120 miles from the center compared to 125 miles for Katrina.


NOAA Projected Path for Hurricane Ike
[Image of 5-day forecast of predicted track, and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]
Click Here for a Printer Friendly Graphic

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