ATL: IKE Discussion

[CrazyC83]

The Remmants are still blowing.
From 4 PM HPC Advisory.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE 35 TO 45 MPH...65 TO 80 KM/HR...WITH
GUSTS OF 60 TO 70 MPH...95 TO 115 KM/HR. THE MINIMUM CENTRAL
PRESSURE WAS 990 MB...OR 29.23 INCHES.

It's higher than that - Wilmington OH is currently reporting 55 mph sustained winds.

[Skyhawk]

Was the museum originally offshore though?

Well, of course, they could have been displayed by 15-20 ft tides in Galveston Bay. I haven't seen the video, so I can't say anything specific.

[senorpepr]

The Remmants are still blowing.
From 4 PM HPC Advisory.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE 35 TO 45 MPH...65 TO 80 KM/HR...WITH
GUSTS OF 60 TO 70 MPH...95 TO 115 KM/HR. THE MINIMUM CENTRAL
PRESSURE WAS 990 MB...OR 29.23 INCHES.

It's higher than that - Wilmington OH is currently reporting 55 mph sustained winds.

The key, I think is, we can't confuse winds associated with the remnants of Ike and winds associated with the front. The front, well before Ike came along, had enough of a pressure gradient to bring some strong winds around the Great Plains. (Tell me about it! We've been dealing with it)

[lebron23]

We lost power here Friday 11pm. Just got it back!

[CrazyC83]

We lost power here Friday 11pm. Just got it back!

Have you gone to the check-in thread in the response and aftermath folder?

[weunice]

I am NOT a conspiracy type of person, but one has to wonder now if the federal government is using it's muscle to get the news channels to back off of their Ike coverage. Also the lack of information coming out. News conferences have been mostly about people patting each other on the back.

I doubt it. They cover storms when there is something "ratings grabbing" to show. Katrina was an unusual drama. They didn't cover Rita. They didn't cover Gustav and they will not cover Ike unless reports of significant loss of life start coming out. IF that happens then it will be "ratings grabbing" and they will be back on it.

[jscotkey]

I have to think the lack of cable network coverage is due to it being the weekend, and the networks being unwilling to pay to have the job done. I can't think of any other reason, as the scope of this thing is immense, and has only gotten more millions involved as Ike zooms up the Midwest.

Just flat out mystifying, but then look at how many of us are online here. Not too many. Methinks "only category 2" might be at play throughout as well.

[CrazyC83]

Update: 75 mph gust in Columbus, OH - reportedly an all-time record there...

[CrazyC83]

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/b ... =searchbox

Report of 91 mph wind gusts (almost Cat 2 gusts, although sustained at 49 mph) in Findlay, OH

[Skyhawk]

I'm not sure how Texas law currently reads, but at one time buildings had to be behind the vegetation line. There are many homes on the west end that survived intact but are now beyond the vegetation line. I wonder it they will be required to be demolished now. I know a University of Houston chemistry professor who lost a home this way during Alicia.

[stayawaynow]

Well said. That is why they tell you to have enough water and non-perishable food for atleast 3 days.

I realize how very, very frustrated everyone who has been affected by Ike are feeling but the finger pointing is reprehensible in my mind. The first responders, FEMA, state and local governments have to be trying to do everything they can to give assistance. Most of them are there because they want to help. Much like any tragedy there is triage in place and they are trying to multi-task as much as possible from everything I have heard. They are being hindered by flooding, impassible roads, lack of electricity, etc. and generally are not working in the best of circumstances. Kudos to all of these people who are doing what they can to help others.

Had people heeded the evacuation warnings much of this would be unnecessary now. Also, when told to evacuate or evacuate in place you are also told to have on hand or bring your supplies with you including enough food and water, medical and baby supplies for at least 72 hours with you. So, rhetorically, why after 36 hours are people up in arms that they don't have food and water? I know there are extenuating circumstances and don't mean to sound hard-hearted, but it is not as if this were a sudden occurrence such as a tornado. It seems as if there were plenty of warnings for those on the barrier islands and in flood prone areas to take the necessary precautions. I also realize that there were areas hit which were far enough inland to not expect the devastation they are experiencing.

That said: God bless all involved-victims and responders alike. This is truly a tragedy.

Lynn

[CajunMama]

OT but how nice is it to see "No Active Storms" on the map above?

[CrazyC83]

This evening should be interesting on Lake Erie...if the winds remain that high, there might be some storm surge issues on the E/NE sides...

[ronjon]

I have to agree that the TV network coverage is atrocious on IKE recovery efforts. Did everyone leave after the storm went inland? The local Houston channels have been doing an excellent job. I've watched and listened to the news conferences - FEMA and elected politicians are patting themselves on the back for the response but I don't see squat on the ground. I know first responders have to do their job, but where is the national guard, ice, water, tents, etc. I expected them to march into Galveston Island with convoys - maybe they will still but so far it looks slow.

[Brent]

OT but how nice is it to see "No Active Storms" on the map above?

First real break in over a month!

[cycloneye]

OT but how nice is it to see "No Active Storms" on the map above?

First real break in over a month!

The question is if the break will be short (In next few days) or more long (More than two weeks)

[Pebbles]

Went back out this afternoon. The creek not to far from my house has overflowed badly.. looked like a raging river instead of a creek. Some dangerous driving conditions with roads flooded out in many areas. Ike has moved passed us for now and we can start drying out.

We are not nearly as bad as so many people in TX.. but they have had to open shelters here for some flooded out by the rains between Gustuv, Ike, and Tropical Storm Lowell.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1162914,evac091408.article

Red Cross offers shelter for flood evacuees

The Red Cross of Greater Chicago offered shelter to "dozens" of Chicagoans displaced by flooding Saturday night, and opened an additional shelter on the Northwest Side early Sunday as a result of the Chicago River flooding.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/09/14/chicago.rainfall/

Chicago seeks aid after worst rain in at least 137 years

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Chicago authorities asked Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to issue a disaster declaration after rainfall Saturday in the Windy City broke a single-day record that had stood for more than two decades. Chicago received more than 6 inches of rain Saturday, breaking a 1987 record.

The deluge flooded streets and stranded residents in their homes. Officials worked to rescue people Sunday as the city grappled with another day of drenching. O'Hare International Airport recorded 6.64 inches of rain Saturday -- breaking the all-time record of 6.49 inches set in 1987, according to the National Weather Service. Records have been kept since 1871.

By 4:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, emergency management and law enforcement officials were reporting widespread flooding across much of northern Illinois and extreme northwest Indiana, with rainfall totals of 4 to 7 inches in certain areas, the weather service said.

[CrazyC83]

1 person killed by the winds in southwest Ohio: http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.as ... 8b6530059a

[St Thomas]

I've watched and listened to the news conferences - FEMA and elected politicians are patting themselves on the back for the response but I don't see squat on the ground. I know first responders have to do their job, but where is the national guard, ice, water, tents, etc. I expected them to march into Galveston Island with convoys - maybe they will still but so far it looks slow.

As a Hugo,Luis,Marilyn,Bertha, etc etc survivor with catastrophic personal damage, I would have done anything!!! to be able to evacuate from St Thomas during those storms, however, residents of Galveston were told to evacuate and there would be no services, prob no water, elec, tele, medical, etc and they still chose to stay. As a direct consequence of their actions, a search & rescue op has to take place, by air no less, because of inaccesibility..not only to residents, but also to Nat'l Guard and other relief efforts....if all had left as directed, street clearing and assessments would have been able to start sooner. As a former Red Cross volunteer...my job was to do recon on specific neighborhoods, assessing damage to each address so any homeowners could get info on their residence ....as a FEMA employee, needs were prioritized based on these assessments....ie, water food, clothing, linens, etc....Even if defying the mandatory evac order, those staying should have the necessities they felt they needed, protected in plastic, etc and able to sustain them for at least 3 days....

In addition, the fact that the residents are returning when asked not to, clogging transportation routes and compromising fuel resources further hamper the work of gov't agencies. From what I had heard, there was no plan in place to water, feed and care for residents other than those emergency personnel holed up in the San Luis Hotel....

Hurricanes suck, after a devastating storm, it sucks even more....however without a plan for the worst, is it still our own rsponsibility to be accountable to ourselves and family. I drank rum and coke without ice, played cards with a Xmas light connected to a car battery, enhanced by a mirror....went to bed at dark...no cell phones, no video games, cooked on a sterno stove..not gourmet mind you, but whatever we had on hand....and when I say "we", I mean the neighborhood....one had a generator that would run the water pump for an hour or two, others had a grille, we all pitched in....BTW, we had no power for 3 months, no phones for 1 yr and no cable for over 1-1/2 yrs....not complaining, not whining, but I realized that was the price I paid to live in such a beautiful place, and had to prepare for what could be the worst-case scenario....

I understand there is a convoy of Nat'l Guard now on Galveston Island, am assuming their job is to pave the way to get essential services such as the water plants, sewer, and minimal elec up and running for the island administration, etc, not to care for those that did not evacuate....Don't slam me, just my 2 cents, based on experience...

[WxGuy1]

OK, I found a pretty brutal picture of Crystal Beach, and I've included it at the bottom of this post... I think the "before" picture is of the correct neighborhood, and I tried to line up the view in Google Earth correctly to reflect the picture.

BEFORE:

IMAGE CREDIT: GOOGLE EARTH
AFTER:

IMAGE CREDIT: SMILEY N. POOL: CHRONICLE
(Image 25 at http://www.chron.com/news/photogallery/Ike_blasts_Houston_Galveston.html)