ATL: IKE Discussion

[Sabanic]

Definitely have to feel for the poor folks in Lake Charles. They are going to have an awful night also!!

[HURAKAN]

[dhweather]

I fear a Katrina NO Superdome and Convention Center situation repeating itself, of course, I hope not.

If the high school is low-lying, it would be worse. At least everyone survived at the Superdome.

Yep, it's going to be dark, xtremely windy, raining and this 20 foot storm surge with large battering waves on top of that.

There is a potential for a large number of deaths here.

IF you are in Galveston and surrounding areas, and you stayed, please take an axe, chainsaw, sledgehammer into your attic when the surge chases you into your attic, then you at least stand a chance to punch a hole in the roof to get out.

[MiamiensisWx]

Latest reconnaissance position (per another site):

http://www.gscape.com/images/wx/ike/ike_recon_120908_08.jpg

It does confirm a NW wobble.

[NEXRAD]

The leading core rainbands will begin to move onshore from around Cameron, Lousiana, southwest to Sabine Pass and Galveston Island during the next 1 to 2 hours. Wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph will be likely along the immediate coast with these first bands, based on surface observations and radar imagery. As the bands work inland, they will have the potential of producing wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph.

- Jay

[Janie2006]

Current level of water at Galveston (Pleasure Point) is 8.74 feet and rising fast. Nobody should be outside in this. It won't be very much longer now before hurricane force winds reach the coastline....and the peak surge following that.

[jlauderdal]

KHOU showing pictures. Really smart guy that chained his truck to the two trees. If the wind is strong enough to pick up your car, what do you think will happen to the trees!!!

Darwin award!

that rivals the Floridians that still think masking tape is effective, this guy chained it to the trees to keep it from floating away so that should be his first clue to hop in his truck yesterday and drive away.

[fasterdisaster]

Unfortunately it looks like he's trying to do some last minute strengthening. That said, even if he doesn't, the surge is going to be catastrophic.

[dhweather]

KHOU showing pictures. Really smart guy that chained his truck to the two trees. If the wind is strong enough to pick up your car, what do you think will happen to the trees!!!

Darwin award!

that rivals the floridians that still think masking tape is effective, this guy chained it to the trees to keep it from floating way so that should be his first clue to hop in his truck yesterday and drive away.

How can we forget masking tape! You get cut by broken glass flying through the air and it gets stuck to you because of the tape.

[ajurcat]

I fear a Katrina NO Superdome and Convention Center situation repeating itself, of course, I hope not.

If the high school is low-lying, it would be worse. At least everyone survived at the Superdome.

The high school is about 6 to 8 blocks from the seawall maybe a couple more. It is more in the 'central' area of town. Galveston does not have anything bigger that could hold more people. Unfortunately, it is a shelter of last resort.
I grew up there and my heart is breaking but have to be strong waiting for the storm to hit me in Houston.

[KWT]

Got to wonder how the Bayou will handle this, already upto near 9 feet and thats before the rains have really set in either...

[Weatherfreak14]

[tj1855]

Could somebody post the link to the local tv stations. All 4 included would be great

[Txdivermom]

Did the Galveston guy in the press conference just stay that they estimated that 40% of the population has stayed?

(I'm not saying that's what he said--it's what I thought, but I was only half listening)

Yes, and they also have said people who are staying in really bad places should write their social security number on their arm with a marker so they can be identified if they don't make it.

[jinftl]

Friend from NW Houston sent me a text, 'where is this huge 300 mile windfield'

I hope no one is letting their guard down in inland locations...it is coming.....cat 1 sustained will be hard to avoid....gusts higher.

[MiamiensisWx]

2115Z GOES IR imagery:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5792/ikesep12081fy5.jpg

Structure has slightly improved with stronger convection and a defined eye (per radar and satellite data).

[CrazyC83]

I fear a Katrina NO Superdome and Convention Center situation repeating itself, of course, I hope not.

If the high school is low-lying, it would be worse. At least everyone survived at the Superdome.

The high school is about 6 to 8 blocks from the seawall maybe a couple more. It is more in the 'central' area of town. Galveston does not have anything bigger that could hold more people. Unfortunately, it is a shelter of last resort.
I grew up there and my heart is breaking but have to be strong waiting for the storm to hit me in Houston.

They should be watching this before doing such insane things...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QemSuEkqBlE

[dhweather]

Could somebody post the link to the local tv stations. All 4 included would be great

http://www.maroonspoon.com/wx/ike.html

[Deathray]

Could somebody post the link to the local tv stations. All 4 included would be great

http://flhurricane.com/ikecoverage.html

[NEXRAD]

Per my SLOSH data maps, Kitwin H.S. and Ball H.S. at Galveston sit at around 9.8 feet elevation.

- Jay