Galveston Taking a Pounding

Watching KHOU out of Houston and talking with Greg Nordstrom this evening, it sounds like Galveston has taken a beating this evening. The storm surge has now eclipsed the sea wall in Galveston and the eye has still not made landfall. If the eye does make landfall to the west of Galveston, the surge will easily inundate the island with water. Even if the eye does make landfall east of Galveston, the winds around the backside of the storm could drive the water in the bay onto the island. Judging by radar loops, it appears that the eye will go directly over Galveston and this may keep the worst surge just off to the east. However, much of the island will still be under water.


Ike now has the most impressive structure and satellite presentation it has had in several days. The good news is that it doesn't have very much longer over water and this will prevent significant strengthening. It's still possible that Ike becomes a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in the next few hours, especially with the northern and northeastern eye wall convection beginning to intensify.