Ike (USA, hours, pressure, days)

[Nomadicus]

I must admit I'm jealous of the wide variety of shopping that Tampa offers and it's proximity to the beaches and saltwater fishing but will not be when who ever decides it's Tampa's turn. Now just whatever ya did to scare Charley over on me may not work for the next one...And Ike may be the next one. Don't write him off yet. Speaking of Ike it's time for another update. BTW I passed through your lovely city today on the way to St. Pete. No sign of Ike there either.

[JeepGirl118]

Keeping fingers crossed it just misses all of FL. It's just heartbreaking to see something is going to hit Cuba again. Ike is back up to 135mph. . . dear geez.

[Nomadicus]

It's a shame these things have to hit anywhere. Loss of life and property is bad now matter where the destruction takes place...I like those that take off up the open Atlantic and do no harm.

[Nomadicus]

After reading the 11 PM report it looks like Ike could side swipe NO on his way to Galveston Bay. That's not good for them or the rest of our country. If he should retain his Cat 4 strength and size in diameter he may make Katrina look like the warm up act. In times like these I like living well inland.

[Amy S in PBC]

I just got home from driving north on the Turnpike from the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. They eliminated the tolls for the next couple days so people from the Keys can get out first - passed lots of cars towing boats. Even if Ike isn't a direct hit, they'll still probably get some high seas and winds.

[recycled]

Originally Posted by JeepGirl118

Keeping fingers crossed it just misses all of FL. It's just heartbreaking to see something is going to hit Cuba again. Ike is back up to 135mph. . . dear geez.

Gustav ravaged Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth in western Cuba with it's full force. I just looked at a Cuba news website (El Habanero) and was surprised there were no warnings or evacuation notices for cities along the north coast of Cuba with Ike moving in within a day or so. Evacuation in Cuba is a tough chore because most people don't own a car so they cram into buses or the back of freight or military trucks and literally head for the hills, anywhere inland with protection from the storm. If it misses the north coast of Cuba, that means Ike heads into the gulf with full force. Either way, bad news on the way for the next 5 days or so.

[Jammie]

Nomadicus, you were in ST. Pete today? That is my favorite place in Fla.~well for the places I've been to. I will be disappointed if that area ever gets wiped out by a cane. It's so beautiful there!!!

If something doesn't happen soon, Ike is definitely going to be a monster storm.

[tallrick]

If it hits the gulf, there is no way it can make landfall as more than a cat 3, probably cat 2. Upper-level winds near the coastline are unfavorable for that much strengthening

[Nomadicus]

Let's hope he becomes content and diminishes into nothing more than a TD as even a Cat 1 can do a lot of damage and as we recently saw with Fay a TS can cause a lot of flooding. For all of us retirement is his best option.

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

The newest project path looks like Ike could even come to Houston!