Ike...reports from the ground

[InletBchDweller]

So sad to see the reports and the morning photos.

Prayers to everyone involved...

 

[Miss Kitty]

IBD...how is LA doing?

The mayor of Houston, Bill White*, is my hero. This man is so no nonsense and tells it like it is. He just spoke fluent Spanish on TV to all his Spanish speaking citizens. This man could go places.

*...PawPaw says Bill White was the first ever candidate for anything in Houston that came to his door asking for his vote.

 

[dgsevier]

My father and his wife live in Galveston and they heeded the evac order and went to Austin. Just heard from them. They have no idea if house is standing or if there's major damage.

 

[Miss Kitty]

My father and his wife live in Galveston and they heeded the evac order and went to New Braunfels near Austin. Just heard from them. They have no idea if house is standing or if there's major damage.

I am so glad they left. Thanks for checking in...keep us posted.

Nowcast as of 8:55 am CDT on September 13, 2008

Now
A hurricane wind warning is in effect along and east of a line from Athens to Hearne. A Tropical Storm Wind Warning is in effect along and east of a line from Jacksboro...to Stephenville...to Gatesville. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect east of I-35. At 9 am...the center of Ike was just northeast of Huntsville. Heavy rain has begun to impact Robertson and Leon counties...and the rain will increase in intensity and areal coverage as Ike moves north at around 20 mph. Rainfall rates may exceed 3 inches per hour. The center of Ike is expected to be near the southeastern corner of Anderson County around noon. Outer rain bands have already reached the I-35 corridor...from Dallas/Fort Worth to Waco. These and additional rain bands will affect much of North Texas throughout the day...with intermittent rain and wind. Residents are urged to be aware of the potential for flooding even in areas outside the Flash Flood Watch. Northerly winds of 20 to 30 mph have enveloped central and East Texas...and will continue to increase as the morning progresses. Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph have reached as far northwest as Hearne and Palestine. Gusts to hurricane strength are expected along the path of Ike...with tropical storm force winds likely across much of the rest of North Texas.

Forecast for Dallas
Updated: 4:43 am CDT on September 13, 2008Tropical Storm Wind Warning in effect until 1 am CDT Sunday...
Flash Flood Watch in effect through Sunday morning...

Today
Showers likely and isolated thunderstorms in the morning...then showers and perhaps an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon. Very windy. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the mid 80s. North winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
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Tonight
Showers and perhaps an isolated thunderstorm in the evening...then a chance of showers and perhaps an isolated thunderstorm after midnight. Windy. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the mid 70s. Northwest winds 25 to 30 mph. Wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible decreasing to 35 mph after midnight. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

Sunday
Cloudy. Highs in the mid 80s. North winds 15 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.
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Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Cooler. Lows in the lower 60s. North winds 15 to 20 mph decreasing to around 10 mph after midnight.

 

[InletBchDweller]

IBD...how is LA doing?

The mayor of Houston, Bill White*, is my hero. This man is so no nonsense and tells it like it is. He just spoke fluent Spanish on TV to all his Spanish speaking citizens. This man could go places.

*...PawPaw says Bill White was the first ever candidate for anything in Houston that came to his door asking for his vote.

WE are good. It seems that everything was just West of us. We have some wind but that is about it.

 

[dgsevier]

Just talked to my dad. Early reports from their local message boards indicate that no roofs were lost in their village (Bayou Vista) near Galveston. The mayor posted a message indicating minimal damage but no power. Roads remain closed. Boats are everywhere, but no houses took on water in living areas; except for 3-4 feet in basement-type storage areas with break away walls. Unofficial storm surge of 12.5 ft on mainland side of Galveston Island.

BTW- Their local message boards sucks compared to this one. I love SOWAL!!!

 

[sunspotbaby]

I've spoken with my sister who lives inside the beltway but outside of the 610 loop right off I-10 East. Her back yard slopes down and fronts a drainage ditch which runs from Green's bayou. There is usually a couple of inches of water in it all the time. This morning, she said it's about 70 yards wide of water.
Water is over her 5 foot fence and about 1/3 up into their back yard. No power, no trees down but lots of limbs. They have a generator and are using it sparingly. I just saw a report from Galveston where 3 houses burned down, some townhomes just disappeared, and some folks that said they were up to their necks in water in their house and were trying to walk to a shelter.

 

[avalon]

Spoke with my cousins in Houston just now. They are in the Bellaire area, near the Galleria. The power is out but landline phone still works. Let's hear it for old school technology. Lots of debris -- trees down and roofs damaged but no catastrophic damage that they can see. Very wet ground but the streets are passable. Now begins the fun-- cleanup, can goods and going to sleep at 8:30. Hope the heat is not too bad.

 

[gardening1970]

I have been absolutely glued to this coverage ... prayers for all those left in Ike's wake. And for those who are able - consider giving to the Red Cross.

 

[NoHall]

Kitty...love you and have been thinking about you this whole time...