September 12th, 2008 // comments (0)

Live Coverage: Ike Hits Texas

Hurricane Ike’s expected massive storm surge and flooding have prompted National Weather Service officials to issue a rare and chilling “certain death” warning as the storm barrels toward the Texas coast tonight.

“We rarely issue this warning unless there is a severe, impending catastrophe,” said Chris Sisco, a meteorologist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. “It’s very serious.”

The warning reads: “Neighborhoods that are affected by the storm surge … and possibly entire coastal communities … will be inundated during the period of peak storm tide.

“Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single-family, one- or two-story homes may face certain death. … Widespread and devastating personal property damage is likely elsewhere.”

Sisco said Ike’s storm surge—a mound of water created by a hurricane’s winds—could reach 20 feet (6.1 meters) around the center of the storm.

Live streaming local coverage as Hurricane Ike makes landfall after the cut…
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Related:

• September 15, 2008 -- Texas Flooding Surfaces Caskets
• September 12, 2008 -- Hurricane Ike’s First Victim: Geraldo
• September 11, 2008 -- Hurricane Ike Heads For Texas