Discovery Channel: Storm Chasers

Galveston Island getting hammered by Ike!

I'm currently sitting in my vehicle on top of the sea wall on the east side of Galveston Island as Hurricane Ike is coming ashore, and the 17 foot wall protecting the city of Galveston is about to be breached.  I'll soon be retreating to the 4th floor of a parking garage to save my vehicle, but here are some pictures before we head to safety.  The first photo shows the massive waves of Ike's storm surge behind the memorial commemorating the lives lost during the devastating category 5 hurricane that struck Galveston Island in 1900, which was the most deadly natural disaster in U.S. history.  Fortunately, Hurricane Ike is not nearly as strong, and the sea wall should protect the city from the 15-20 foot storm surge expected tonight.  Check back for updates as this dangerous weather situation unfolds..

TVN to intercept Hurricane Ike!

TVN storm chasers are currently heading southbound toward the Texas Gulf Coast to intercept powerful Hurricane Ike, which is forecast to make landfall between Houston and Corpus Christi, TX as a category 3 storm.  TVN will be doing recon work for the Texas Task Force (TXTF) to provide real-time wind speed and direction data as the hurricane arrives very early Saturday morning.  Hundreds of thousands of people will be evacuating the Texas Gulf Coast in the next few days, given the massive storm surge expected over populated areas near sea level.  The storm surge is a substantial water level increase near the coast as a hurricane comes ashore, caused by ocean water being piled up by strong on-shore winds immediately to the right of the eye.  We will be monitoring topographic maps closely so we don't lose our car to the flood waters!  Check back for updates!