ATL: IKE Discussion

[Chacor]

Let's use this separate thread for tornado reports. New warning up in Lake Charles.

[keithy joe]

Does anyone think that the strongest wind gusts could occur from Port Arthur to Lake Charles to Lake Arthur slightly further East?

[fasterdisaster]

This is not a forecast.

Looks like it's just about too late for Galveston to avoid the absolute worst case scenario. It'd have to move due north from now for the bay to avoid the worst surge.

[PTPatrick]

as much as ike has tightened, I am not altogether certain that strongest winds will be that far away from center. Probably from East of Galv to the TX/LA state line will get worst winds.

[Janie2006]

315,000 power outages reported now.

[dolebot_Broward_NW]

When the media stays, but the public is required to go, it makes you wonder how dangerous it really is. I think that when they say "all will die who stays" and certain people "in the know " are not leaving it makes others feel they are not being told the entire story. Maybe that's why some people do stay -- they've seen this time and time again.

The media are equipped with dedicated communications, including radios, microwave gear, etc in case they need to call for help. The emergency folks know where and who they are and they get special protection. They also likely have a ton of experience and equipment, as well as a pre-arranged place to go. I think your right though, unfortunately theres a lot of "me too, me too" with human beings.

[fasterdisaster]

The local Houston coverage's radar seems to be almost an hour behind.

[mahicks]

Panicky??? I live near Tallahassee, FL. I hate to buy into the "hype" but was forced to today. Our regular Gas prices have been around $3.69, but around 4 PM EST, I had to leave work and buy gas at $4.17.9/gallon (pilot truck stop in Midway) only because the first TWO gas stations I went to were OUT. I KNOW this is just "HYPE" but when the ENTIRE area dives into the "HYPE" it becomes reality for me and my family. Heck, at lunch today, the Mckenzie gas station on Highway 27 (north Monroe) had gas at $5.49!!!!!!!!
I only hope that gas station owner gets sued or arrested. I even saved my receipt for my gas at $4.17.9. I hope it can help get someone in major trouble!!!! The bad thing is that even at this price, with all the "hype" I felt VERY VERY lucky to even get gasoline at ANY price in the area!!

Anyone else well outside of Texas, experiencing HUGE lines at gas stations and panic that there will be no gas? It's crazy around here. My local station in the town I'm in had lines out to the road at 10pm (usually pretty empty) People are going crazy. Saying they heard it's going to be $5 a gallon and gas cashiers are agreeing?? I haven't heard of this but if it's the case glad I filled up just now.

THERE IS NO GAS SHORTAGE.
Locally perhaps, but not a major one. please dont get panicky over it.

[mettski]

The local Houston coverage's radar seems to be almost an hour behind.

its on cdt not est. 1hr diff

[HarlequinBoy]

Power is out in Humble.

[capepoint]

Anyone else well outside of Texas, experiencing HUGE lines at gas stations and panic that there will be no gas? It's crazy around here. My local station in the town I'm in had lines out to the road at 10pm (usually pretty empty) People are going crazy. Saying they heard it's going to be $5 a gallon and gas cashiers are agreeing?? I haven't heard of this but if it's the case glad I filled up just now.

eastern nc. gas lines all day. some stations sold out, others rationing 10 gallons per customer.. price up to 4.15 cents here most places, up 65 cents since this morning. Some nearby cities already have $5.00 per gallon. NC governor vowing to charge gougers.

media hype driving the rush.

God be with our TX and LA friends tonight.
Eyewall very close to beach.

[NEXRAD]

Very strong core squalls are intensifying along the coast between Freeport and Sabine Pass. As these strong squalls move onshore they will be accompanied by strong, dangerous, gusts of 75 to 100 mph.

Through 11:00 PM CDT... Core squalls with Hurricane Ike will gradually work inland to affect areas along and southeast of a line from about Freeport to Angelton to Pearland to Pasadena to Baytown to Beaumont and Orange. Sustained winds will increase to between 40 and 50 mph across these areas with wind gusts to 70 mph possible. Along the coast and bay-fronts, stronger winds can be anticipated with hurricane force gusts. These winds will cause widespread blowing debris, downed trees and powerlines, damage to awnings, gutters, and shingles, and some more substantial damage to poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes.

Farther inland, outer squall bands will work towards the Houston Metro area and surrounding suburbs. These bands will produce strong wind gusts to 60 mph.

(This is not an official product.)

- Jay

[jinftl]

it should be viewed as the opposite...you see news crews gathering around you...there is a story about to happen. And the 25' mound and bunker and all that help...i can't help but wonder what would happen if residents of galveston found way to get to that hotel....the safe zone in the midst of it all...take them in?

When the media stays, but the public is required to go, it makes you wonder how dangerous it really is. I think that when they say "all will die who stays" and certain people "in the know " are not leaving it makes others feel they are not being told the entire story. Maybe that's why some people do stay -- they've seen this time and time again.

The media are equipped with dedicated communications, including radios, microwave gear, etc in case they need to call for help. The emergency folks know where and who they are and they get special protection. They also likely have a ton of experience and equipment, as well as a pre-arranged place to go. I think your right though, unfortunately theres a lot of "me too, me too" with human beings.

[Windy]

FYI: Current SLOSH models can be accessed at this FTP site:

ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/

Galveston SLOSH model is here:

ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/Latest/i48_gl2.gif

MAX SLOSH:

BTW, it seems the storm is tracking a little west of this? Or is that pretty much dead on?

[jimguru]

315,000 power outages reported now.

Anyone have a link to the power supply company for Houston Metro area and outlying area that shows outages? - Jim

[keithy joe]

A zone around Lake Charles, Beaumont and Cameron are likely to see the strongest gust swathe in my opinion

[JPmia]

315,000 power outages reported now.

Yeah, watching the local coverage on DirecTV 361...they are reporting the power outages and the reporter didn't seem to grasp how long power will actually be out for MANY people in the Houston metro area. Some of you should expect to be without power for weeks! So if you're still on here reading these posts you're lucky...for now. I bet by the end of the night into tomorrow morning there will be MILLIONS more without power...that is a serious situation for the 4th largest city in the U.S.

[dolebot_Broward_NW]

KHOU reporting contact with the 589 foot freighter with 22 souls aboard. All are well, rode through the cane OK, waiting for a tow.

[lost cause]

KHOU is reporting that the tanker bearing petrolium coke has ridden out the worst of the storm and will now be waiting for a tow to land after the storm passes. No loss of life reported.

[fasterdisaster]

FYI: Current SLOSH models can be accessed at this FTP site:

ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/

Galveston SLOSH model is here:

ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/Latest/i48_gl2.gif

MAX SLOSH:

BTW, it seems the storm is tracking a little west of this? Or is that pretty much dead on?

Yes it is tracking west of that, worse for Galveston.