Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, Disasters

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Hurricane Ike

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Atlantic_hurricane_season

A tropical disturbance developed off the coast of Africa near the end of August. It tracked south of Cape Verde and slowly developed. On September 1 it became Tropical Depression Nine while west of the Cape Verde islands, it then intensified into a tropical storm, and was named Ike by the NHC. Ike developed an eye late on September 3 as it underwent explosive intensification, as it strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in twelve hours with an estimated pressure drop of 43 millibars (1.3 inHg), from 991 to 948 millibars (29.3 to 28.0 inHg); and a 24 hour pressure drop of 61 millibars (1.8 inHg), from 996 to 935 millibars (29.4 to 27.6 inHg). Ike weakened back to a Category 2 hurricane before re-intensifying back to Category 4 as confirmed by reconnaissance flight reports. It ripped across Grand Inagua Island and Grand Turk Island, where 80% of the buildings on that island were severely damaged or completely destroyed. It weakened into a strong Category 3 late in the afternoon of September 7 as it headed for landfall on the northeastern coastline of Cuba that evening.[23] In addition, the storm has killed at least 75 people in Haiti and 1 person in the Dominican Republic.[24]

By 5 a.m. EDT on September 8, Ike had weakened to a Category 2 while over Cuba, and to a category 1 shortly afterwards. It crossed into the Gulf of Mexico by 5 P.M. EDT on September 9, and was expected to make landfall between Surfside Beach, Texas and Crystal Beach, Texas, by early Saturday, September 13. The highest probability landfall point between San Luis Pass and the west end of Galveston had not changed within the last 24 hours (10 PM CDT, September 12, 2008). Massive flooding of Galveston Island had already occurred with many homes on the west end (not protected by seawall) already destroyed by a massive storm surge well in advance of the storm. As many as 13 houses or buildings were on fire, unable to be handled because of dangerous conditions. On Bolivar Peninsula, Texas dozens of people were rescued as flood waters exceeded 12 feet (3.7 m) above sea level. Flooding was also being seen in the region of Galveston bay.

Many large waves had already topped the Galveston Seawall which is 16 feet (4.9 m) above sea level. On top of an expected surge as high as 22 feet (6.7 m) near the important oil and gas refineries along the Houston Ship Channel, ocean waves as high as 20 feet (6.1 m) were expected along the coast. Ike later moved inland, and later that day weakened into a tropical storm. Damage from Ike is estimated at $27 billion (2008 USD), the third most destructive US Hurricane on record, behind 1992's Andrew and 2005's Katrina. [25] At least 99 deaths have been blamed on Ike.