http://www.chron.com/weather/stormpulse-ike.html That map had it going east of both right at 4pm. then it moved back to where it is now.
You can't even imagine. I was on the road for 51 hours from southeast Houston to Dallas. My dad, my sister, and myself all drove our own cars and so there was no driving in shifts, or running to the side of the freeway to take a piss. We all had either 2 or 3 animals with us, and we were ignorant about how much water and food we needed. I only had 2 little bottles, and most of it went to feeding the animals via bottle cap servings. For food I had nothing but a half eaten bag of unsalted pretzels. We stopped just once to rest at a gas station near 290, and only for an hour. Even then, I didn't sleep because I was keeping my ear to the airwaves the whole time. It was 2 days straight, baking in 100+ degree heat without a shower and I was literally dirty like a homeless person and stumbling with exhaustion when I got to my girlfriend's house in Dallas. Worst 48 hour period of my life. Bar none. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
ok..to be clear, this is what that map is: How to use the map The interactive tracking map starts on a storm’s current center location and forecasted positions based on the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Perhaps they were adjusting it as they were changing it with the new advisory.
Wow! This site is gold! The amount of info is amazing. A good, easy to use tool from the National Weather Service. Much of this info is what Frank Billingsley repeatedly showed (in lesser detail) prior to Rita. What the tool makes crystal clear for me is that in my area of Ft. Bend County (Mo City), the wind doesn't start to kick in hard until late Friday afternoon. And when it starts kicking, it's gonna last a long time.
Latest from the NHC has some encouraging and troubling news. The good news is that they finally got hurricane hunter data that confirms the storm is much weaker at its core than its pressure would suggest. This shows a strong cat 2 storm. In addition, only the official forecast and the GFDL call for a cat 3 at landfall as there is dry air and low ocean heat content between Ike and the coastline. The bad news is that the new forecast brings Ike directly across the west end of Galveston Island - the worst spot for Houston. They also do believe it will strengthen to cat 3 just prior to landfall bringing with it winds of around 110-115mph. Given the new data, I think that might be a liberal estimate, but better to be safe. Also, hurricane force winds extend out nearly 100 miles from the center, which means the 80-mile error potential with 36 hours before landfall almost assures Houston will get hurricane force winds and above. --- On a personal note, I've got my house almost completely boarded up. I'm going to finish up the one side of my house today and do some cleaning in the house. Tomorrow, I'll pick up all the debris and board any other windows I think might need it.
I hit refresh right after 4 and it had changed to what I said. Next time I hit refresh, it was where it was now.
My condolences. At least we can take comfort that misinformation/disinformation/exaggeration don't seem to be happening this time around. Logic & sense seem to be prevailing.
You see, that's how long I expected it to take. Roughly 2 or 3 times the usual. Not 14 times the usual
Jeff, did you just screw it in your house or used clips like these? Do any of you guys recommend this? http://www.plylox.com/ How many mph winds do you think we should be boarding up? Im debating it but it might be too late...I live in Spring (Kukendahl & 2920)
Take lots of water, food, gas, and a couple of changes of clothing. Don't expect to move more than 20 miles per hour at any point until you clear the city. It may happen this time around, just don't expect it. I remember last time I was writing the distance on my arm every hour (didn't have any paper). The first hour we went about 15 miles, which was fairly promising, but that was before we hit the backup. By the end of the 19th hour, after writing 36.9 miles (total!) on my arm, I gave up. At that point I really thought I might die on the freeway. Some might think I'm exaggerating, but I promise I'm not. My dad can't even sit in traffic these days without getting sick to his stomach and getting headaches. That experience really F'd him up in that regard.
