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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Friday, September 12, 2008

Picture of the Day - 2




















I don't know what you're getting nationally, but down along Galveston and Bolivar it's really pretty bad, and the storm isn't due to make landfall for another 5 hours.

Not exaggerating, it's very possible that every inch of Galveston Island will be covered with sea water, at night, in the dark. Galveston, Bolivar, and the surrounding island areas probably have a population of 65,000.

On the mainland, along the Bay, Ship Channel, and the rest of the region, you may be looking at the homes of another 60,000+ people flooded out by the storm surge.

It's still not looking too bad in Houston proper, wind and rain, but down there it's looking pretty grim, at least on the property damage front.

The local news is estimating that around 20,000 stayed in Galveston although that number seems high to me.

On the other hand, there's this very freaky late developing "dry band" that has developed just north of the eye which may cut way down on the rainfall and may cut the wind intensity right before it hits shore.

Here's hoping.

(A Galveston Police officer helps residents evacuate as a house burns in the background during Hurricane Ike, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum))

2 Comments:

  • Wasn't it the national weather service that said that people who do not evacuate Galveston face "almost certain death." ?

    On the local network affiliates (I don't have cable/satellite) we're not getting any Ike coverage to speak of.

    By Blogger -epm, at 9:37 PM  

  • Yup. Because Galveston, Bolivar, are going under water, although it's not yet clear how deep.

    The problem in these areas is that the exit routes off the islands flood early unlike on the mainland.

    I don't know how bad it really is down there, but the property damage will be massive. Every building on the island will be touched.

    And, probably not getting as much national coverage because its happening at night, so there are no pictures yet.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 9:42 PM  

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