Comments on: Ike’s toll unknown; massive rescue operation planned

By: Ironman

Ironman — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:34:14 +0000

I think Hurricane Charley has been forgotten. Forecasters have underestimated the power of hurricanes too, and in this case, erred on landfall location.

My mother lives in inland Lee County and thought nothing of a Cat 2 coming ashore at Sarasota. A Cat 4 coming ashore over Sanibel was a little more than she had planned for.

By: Mark Sides

Mark Sides — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:05:53 +0000

One other thought to combat the “hype” issue (and I say this realizing that the extent of the damage is yet to be revealed): The storm turned slightly more northerly at the end. Every dire statement yesterday also came with that glimmer of hope: The more northerly, the less catastrophic for Galveston. So, that was always present. Granted, the storm surge still was not as high as anticipated in almost all locations. Nonetheless, a slightly more westerly course, despite the lower surge, would have brought still more water into Galveston, and it sounds like the island already has enough even with the actual track and even with the smaller surge. Hype? I don’t think so.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:41:34 +0000

“It was expected to turn toward Arkansas later in the day”

Super. Well, we’ve battened down the hatches here in Fayetteville and laid in supplies of Ramen and beer.

Sometimes living on top of a large hill is a good thing.

By: Mark Sides

Mark Sides — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:13:14 +0000

Brendan,

Two thoughts on your post:

First, I have been looking at reliable blogs and the Houston stations and their blogs for information for the very fact that I could see the storm surge was less than feared, and yet, as you indicate, the hype has not toned down. So, once again, the real news cannot be found on the major national media. They simply will not do what you wish they would.

Second, the recovery operations that are being conducted would have been conducted either scenario. It’s just that, thankfully, it will mostly be a live person recovery operation than a body recovery operation.

They should charge everybody they recover who was in a mandatory evac zone for their pro-rata share of the recovery operation. It’s just ridiculous that people stayed behind and their living, but needing recovery, does not justify their decision.

By: Don Mynack

Don Mynack — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:08:57 +0000

Eyewitness report from Katy (west of Houston): We had very strong winds overnight, a lot of rain, but never lost power for a more than a few minutes at a time. The main reason is that our community has underground power lines – much less to get knocked down by trees, etc. This area is newer so has very good drainage so there will probably not be a lot of flooding here. Of course, the good drainage is one of the reasons I chose this community, so my experience may not be typical.

By: Trent Telenko

Trent Telenko — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:02:28 +0000

Channel 11 Houston reports several square blocks of down town Houston are impassable to vehicles due to broken glass and other debris accumulated by winds between sky scrapers.

By: Cybrludite

Cybrludite — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:02:26 +0000

“A massive Hurricane Ike ravaged southeast Texas early Saturday, battering the coast with driving rain and ferocious wind gusts as residents who decided too late they should have heeded calls to evacuate made futile calls for rescue.”

What part of, “If you stay, you’re on your own”, were they having trouble understanding? Seriously, folks, when they tell you to get out, for the gods’ sakes get the heck out!

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:00:31 +0000

Centerpoint Energy says 2 million without power, almost their entire service base. Weeks to restore power to everyone.