ATL: IKE Discussion

[tallywx]

Galveston mayor (the salty woman, right?): "If someone has not left the island now, they need to stay put."

NONONONONO! If you can leave, good G-d, leave! She's gonna get people killed with "advice" like that.

[jinftl]

Not at all a comment on politics...i know little about my own local govt, let alone houston's.....but if there are cya statements being made hours before landfall...not good in regards to what is happening with storm and impact is having/will have...politics aside

I'm watching the news conference. "We didn't know it might come our way" wow, cya to the max. Why would Houston decide to "shelter in place"

Great Link: http://flhurricane.com/ikecoverage.html

[vbhoutex]

Has rain started in Houston? If not, then I suspect the rise in the Bayou level (Buffalo Bayou) in Houston shown at this site is the result of Ike. This site is way inland of Galveston, near downtown Houston.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?08074000

Rain is not causing any water rises in the Houston/Galveston area at this time. Very few showers as of yet.

[rtd2]

While during Katrina, it bothered me to hear outsiders question our "leaders", it quickly became clear to me that the rest of the country was right... and I was wrong. Thankfully, we learned from our mistakes and pulled off the most successful and smooth evacuation in history. But I just need to say that I cannot believe the same mistakes are being made. Galveston's mayor does look like an elderly deer caught in the headlights... she seems clueless. And to add to that frustration, you have Texas' governor saying that he is satisfied and very proud of the evacuation... that nowhere else in the world could pull off this wonderful evacuation that left probably 30,000 people at ground zero. Good job Gov... you're clueless too.

MUST say haley barbour (miss gov.) was effective then and continues to be thank godness! Miss is already prepared to send help in the aftermath of IKE to the good folks of TEXAS!

[KWT]

Even if the 17-foot wall is over overtopped by 3 feet with a 20-foot surge, that's 3 feet over the wall + 20 foot waves over the wall. That's gonna drive water across the entire island like butter.

yep very bad situation, can't believe we are having another situation like Katrina just 3 years afterwards...

Anyway looks like the winds are just starting to pick up somewhat, winds gusting now to 44kts now out there according to the tidal obs.

[MiamiensisWx]

Gavelston blaming the meteorologists.

Official states that they "haven't been able to rely on their forecasts" in regards to surge.

I'm nauseating... this is reminescent of Katrina on too many levels.

[Weatherfreak14]

Cloud tops seems to be warming a bit... Not much to matter now but hopefully this means that this is going to be the highest its going to get...

[MGC]

By judging from the Houston radar, Ike western eyewall is about 70 miles from Galveston. Conditions should go down hill quickly. After Katrina I'm surprised so many stayed. I guess after the Rita evacuation many dicided not to leave. We had the same problem for Katrina. People were tired of evacuating and gave up and decided to stay. For many it was a deadly decision......MGC

[Weatherfreak14]

Gavelston blaming the meteorologists.

Official states that they "haven't been able to rely on their forecasts" in regards to surge.

I'm nauseating... this is reminescent of Katrina on too many levels.

This makes me really mad... Did they not recieve the wording that the NHC put it in their statment " FACING CERTAIN DEATH" if you stay.

[Ptarmigan]

A house is on fire in Galveston mixed with storm surge.
http://www.chron.com/

[jabman98]

Has rain started in Houston? If not, then I suspect the rise in the Bayou level (Buffalo Bayou) in Houston shown at this site is the result of Ike. This site is way inland of Galveston, near downtown Houston.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?08074000

I'm about five miles north and west of downtown Houston. We are getting sprinkles - or at least we were about ten minutes ago when I poked my nose out the front door to check it out. We're hunkered down - windows boarded up and stockpiled with water, food, batteries. Mostly we've just had gusty winds - nothing even as bad as our average thunderstorm. No measurable precip at all.

[Brent]

Gavelston blaming the meteorologists.

Official states that they "haven't been able to rely on their forecasts" in regards to surge.

I'm nauseating... this is reminescent of Katrina on too many levels.

Sickening.

[Derek Ortt]

Gavelston blaming the meteorologists.

IF they are blaming the mets, then the only ones that deserve a Darwin award are the officials

Galveston has been in the path for a long time. Many warnings were went out to expect 20+ feet of surge

[HURAKAN]

[micktooth]

"Don't open sliding doors in your hotel" Mayor of Galveston. Gees, if they only would have kept the doors closed in NOLA, the city would be in much better shape!

[Ptarmigan]

Despite evacuation order, 1,000 remain in Galveston jail

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5997765.html

[jinftl]

Local govt can only do so much....if people won't leave...with shelters available...even services to help those who need it get to them...all of which were provided....what can you do?

Gavelston blaming the meteorologists.

IF they are blaming the mets, then the only ones that deserve a Darwin award are the officials

Galveston has been in the path for a long time. Many warnings were went out to expect 20+ feet of surge

[Raebie]

Gavelston blaming the meteorologists.

IF they are blaming the mets, then the only ones that deserve a Darwin award are the officials

Galveston has been in the path for a long time. Many warnings were went out to expect 20+ feet of surge

The city manager said "we didn't know it was coming here. It took a turn."

Quite simply, he's lying.

[vbhoutex]

While during Katrina, it bothered me to hear outsiders question our "leaders", it quickly became clear to me that the rest of the country was right... and I was wrong. Thankfully, we learned from our mistakes and pulled off the most successful and smooth evacuation in history. But I just need to say that I cannot believe the same mistakes are being made. Galveston's mayor does look like an elderly deer caught in the headlights... she seems clueless. And to add to that frustration, you have Texas' governor saying that he is satisfied and very proud of the evacuation... that nowhere else in the world could pull off this wonderful evacuation that left probably 30,000 people at ground zero. Good job Gov... you're clueless too.

You can not force people to leave if they don't want to. Are you going to drag them kicking and screaming out the door? I will repeat what I have said before. There was plenty of time for EVERYONE WHO CARED TO TO GET OUT when the mandatory evacs were ordered yesterday. This is not the authorities fault that so many stayed. It is the fault of those who chose to stay!!! The area media has been telling them to get out ever since the mandatory evacs were ordered!!

[pablolopez26]

Has rain started in Houston? If not, then I suspect the rise in the Bayou level (Buffalo Bayou) in Houston shown at this site is the result of Ike. This site is way inland of Galveston, near downtown Houston.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?08074000

The mere fact that Buffalo Bayou has risen the way it has with Ike so far away goes to show that once it starts raining here in Houston, we are in some big big trouble!

Bayous are already flooding that help drain all of this rain that is coming our way. With Galveston so high now, they cant drain. AMAZING!