Hurricane Ike Watch!!! (ALL Ike posts in here please!) (Houston: closing, safety)

[lovesroses]

We live in Katy and I just checked the online channel 13 live chat with Tim Hellerman. Someone asked about wind speed around Barker Cypress and Tim said to expect between 75-100mph. He said most inland areas can expect those wind speeds.

Geez do we ride it out in the windowless closet? Going west on I-10 could be a mistake if the storm track goes west, Austin and Dallas will have their own problems and forget about heading east with 5.6 million other folk in Houston..

[jfre81]

Looking pretty easy to get around for anyone who wants out. My people in Texas City are starting to get out tonight.

Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map

[sbhubbell]

I wonder if there's any chance they'll increase the mandatory evac areas. My cousin in ClearLake says she has to stay at her job at the hospital unless they call for mandatory evac. I'd feel a lot better if she and her doggies were coming to our house in Katy.

[Wysiwyg]

ClearSky latest computer model

[southeasttexas]

=lovesroses;5215084....said to expect between 75-100mph. He said most inland areas can expect those wind speeds.

Geez do we ride it out in the windowless closet?

For what it is worth, I rode out Rita (by necessity), and a well built brick home will survive a Cat 3 in pretty good shape. Lost TONS of shingles, but the wall & windows held just fine. Just be wary of close trees that could fall, that would break something structural. Rita was 120 mph at my home...

[Mom2Feebs]

Amen, southeasttexas. We had no problem with a Cat 3, however our trees blew all to hell and we lost quite a few (one through a roof next door).

From NOAA.gov:


Tropical Storm
Winds 39-73 mph


Category 1 Hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)
No real damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
- Examples: Irene 1999 and Allison 1995


Category 2 Hurricane — winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)
Some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. Some trees blown down.
- Examples: Bonnie 1998, Georges(FL & LA) 1998 and Gloria 1985


Category 3 Hurricane — winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt)
Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Keith 2000, Fran 1996, Opal 1995, Alicia 1983 and Betsy 1965


Category 4 Hurricane — winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt)
More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Hugo 1989 and Donna 1960


Category 5 Hurricane — winds 156 mph and up (135+ kt)
Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
- Examples: Andrew(FL) 1992, Camille 1969 and Labor Day 1935

[soulful]

The latest AP story says the storm may push floodwaters from the Bay into the city of Houston:

The Associated Press: Evacuations begin in Texas ahead of Hurricane Ike (broken link)

Click on the following to see which zip codes in Houston/Galveston will flood:

http://www.khou.com/images/0808/evacuationroutemap.jpg

[Topaz]

Oh, jfre81, I really want to rep you for that one. Gotta spread it around to other folks first, though. I think I'll go find some random posts to rep so I can come back and give you some praise for that weather report.

[jfre81]

Depending on how direct this hit is, storm surge from the bay can enter Houston - mostly around the bayous (especially Buffalo). If you're in a flood plain, obviously you're more likely to have flooding.

[LostInHouston]

Current forecast has shifted more towards Houston.

Hurricane IKE

Also, a great reference is the SciGuy blog over at chron.com. Here is some info on the storm surge from a Cat 3 and how it depends on where the hurricane strikes. Worst case for Houston (Galveston Bay) would be a direct hit near Freeport.

SciGuy: Would a category 3 hurricane surge flood your home?