World News Blog

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]

[Image of 5-day forecast of predicted track, and coastal areas under a warning or a watch]

Click Here for a Printer Friendly Graphic

Labels: galveston, houston, hurricane ike, hurricane katrina, hurricanes, texas

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Gustav's path becoming clearer

Hurricane Gustav continued to move ominously toward the Louisiana coast where mandatory evacuations are underway.

Although intensity forecasts have been erratic, currently Gustav is expected to make landfall as a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane. Probably even more important than its absolute strength is the location of the landfall. Gustav's right flank will batter the city of New Orleans pushing the storm surge directly into Lake Ponchartrain. This did not occur during Katrina when the storm passed to the east of New Orleans.

Also, Gustav's east flank will threaten the west bank of New Orleans, where levees are considered particularly vulnerable. The west bank largely escaped Hurricane Katrina's fury.

Like Katrina, Gustav is a massive storm with hurricane force winds currently extending 40 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds reaching out 200 miles.

CTV.ca

Gustav to test lessons of Katrina
CNNMoney.com - 37 minutes ago
Gustav, a Category 3 storm after raking through Cuba on Saturday, is expected to strengthen as it gets closer to the US coast. Forecasters predict it will ...
Hurricane Gustav affecting Mid-Michigan WLNS
Gustav could cost you $5 a gallon at the pumps BloggingStocks
Gustav Could Hit US Oil Rigs In Gulf Harder Than Katrina, Rita AHN

Labels: hurricane, hurricane gustav, hurricane katrina, lanke ponchartrain, louisiana, new orleans

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Jindal wins governor's race in Katrina-hit Louisiana

Louisiana Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal, his wife Supriya and son Shaan Robert, acknowledges applause as they enter their election night party headquarters in Baton Rouge, La. Saturday night Oct. 20, 2007. Jindal defeated a field of candidates to become Louisiana's governor elect. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

AP Photo: Louisiana Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal, his wife Supriya and son Shaan Robert, acknowledges applause...

Bobby Jindal became the first non-white to win the governor's office in Louisiana, a state still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Jindal whose parents are Indian immigrants is a conservative Christian and Republican and his comes on his second run for the seat.

Previously he was defeated by incumbent governor Kathleen Blanco, who decided not to run after taking blame for the slow response to the Katrina disaster.

Labels: bobby jindal, hurricane katrina, louisiana, new orleans