Ike Landfall: Galveston - FLHurricane.com

10:30AM CDT Update 9/13

Hurricane Ike began as a Tropical Wave emerging from Africa and was picked up as an "Invest" (97L) by the time it approached the Central Atlantic. As Hurricane Gustav was approaching Louisiana and Hanna the Bahamas, it formed into Tropical Depression 9. Later that same day, shortly after Gustav made landfall, TD#9 formed into Tropical Storm Ike.

Ike was beginning to be noticed in the Bahamas and Florida. The 's track took it through the Bahamas and was pointed dangerously close to South Florida. As it became apparent Hanna wasn't too much a threat to Florida, Ike was beginning to cause people to take interest in it.

As it approached the Bahamas, Ike started moving more southwestward, passing near Balfor Town in the Turks and Caicos Islands. From there, it continued to pile westward, moving over Inagua, the Flamingo habitat there, as well as Matthew Town and its large Morton Salt facility. These places experienced the full force of a Category 4 hurricane as Ike passed by. By then, it was then apparent it was not going to directly affect South Florida.

The forecast then turned toward Cuba, where it appeared it might ride up the spine of Cuba. Instead, it moved westward across Cuba and entered the Caribbean for a bit. Eventually turning northwestward and crossing the western tip of Cuba, this was enough to weaken the storm. After entering the Gulf, the hurricane-force wind radii greatly expanded and it appeared that South Texas might be under the gun. Storm tides across the Gulf from the Keys to the Florida Panhandle westward started to rise abnormally, a precursor to what lie ahead over the coming days.

As it entered the Central Gulf, it became more and more apparent that it would strike near or just south of Galveston. Ike had an odd eye structure for much of its time over the Gulf of Mexico, but it never really consolidated until very near landfall. Landfall came very early Saturday morning along Galveston Island itself. The surge at Galveston was just over 12 feet, with higher peaks, but not as bad as it could have been had the storm passed just west. It appears, at least for the downtown, the seawall was a good investment as it kept things from getting too bad there. But still vast amounts of damage happened, including the destruction of the historic Balinese room and the Galveston Memorial Monument to the infamous 1900 Hurricane. Port Bolivar, across the bay east of Galveston, had a 23 ft surge.

As it nears midday Saturday, Ike is moving rapidly northward, soon to merge with a cold front. A lot of the damage has yet to be assessed, and it appears the damage is very widespread. Tornadoes and heavy rainfall remain a significant threat with Ike for at least the next 24-36 hours.

8:30AM CDT Update 9/13
Ike made Landfall at Galveston at 2:10 AM CDT/3:10AM EDT

9:40PM CDT Update
Ike's likely last full advisory before landfall keeps it as a strong Category 2 storm, with the largest surge still to come in the next few hours. The center of Ike is 55 miles to the southeast of Galveston.

A convective burst in the Southwest side is showing that Ike is still trying to strengthen as it approaches.

7:00PM CDT Update
Ike has jogged a bit to the west northwest. Latest position estimate is 28.3N 94.0E. If this continues Ike will landfall just south of Galveston, which is probably the worst case for Galveston and Houston's coastal areas.

The eye is contracting a bit, so it appears likely that Ike will landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, with the equivalent of an upper Cat 4 (or even low 5) level storm surge because of the very broad high windfield.

Ike's worst should happen between Midnight and 1:30 in and around Galveston.

6:00PM CDT Update
At the 7PM Update Ike was located about 100 miles southeast of Galveston, moving northwest at 13MPH, Ike has strengthened to a maximum sustained windspeed of 110MPH, it sill has a chance to make landfall as a category 3.

Regardless the large surge will inundate a large coastal area later tonight.

Latest Coverage: houston Chronicle Hurricane Live blog - Multiple Affiliate TV Coverage to monitor most of the local coverage (Broadband only!).

1:30PM CDT Update
The National Hurricane Center's track seems to be right on, now. Recon has't totally confirmed it yet, but it appears Ike is trying to strengthen once again. The latest vortex message supports 110MPH winds, and it appears Ike may indeed be a proper Saffir-Simpson major hurricane before it makes landfall (As if the surge bubble didn't make it one).

Tidal Flooding continues all around the Northwest Gulf, including Galveston.

Let us know Ike conditions in your area here.

Hurricanetrack.com tower cam recording -- Visit Mark Sudduth and Mike Watkins over at hurricanetrack.com for more info.

If you want more real time information local sources are better, use this Multiple Affiliate TV Coverage to monitor most of the local coverage (Broadband only!).

Galveston Tidal Data
Original Update

Hurricane Ike strengthened a little overnight, now at 105MPH winds, it's still a very broad hurricane with a large area of hurricane force winds, and a massive storm surge.

Parts of the unwalled Galveston island are already seeing water rise.

The wave east of the Bahamas (91L) is not looking like it will develop but we will watch it over the next few days.

If you want more real time information local sources are better, use this Multiple Affiliate TV Coverage to monitor most of the local coverage (Broadband only!).

Mark Sudduth and my friend Mike Watkins are out in the HIRT team vehicle studying Hurricane Ike near Galveston, Visit and see the info at Hurricanetrack.com You can see where they are located now at our Ike Google Map

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