After Ike

Ike has come and gone.  Lots of damage in the Galveston-Houston area mostly from the sea surge, however the wind was 100-mph in downtown Houston and blew out glass panes in high rise buildings.  Over two million people are without electrical power.  Many evacuated before the storm, others did not.  Those that stayed behind are now without electricity, water, food, and utility services.  Many are having to be rescued.  Damage on Galveston Island is extensive. There has been very little looting.  Only two have been arrested so far as reported by the local TV stations.  Their bail is set at $100,000.  I hope the world notes that Texas during a disaster did not have rampant unlawfulness and looting as occurred in New Orleans during Katrina.

Ike did very little damage here though the storm was over 200 miles wide.  We are 90 miles (as the crow flies) from where the eye came ashore on Galveston Island.  We had sustained north winds of 30-35 mph with gusts to 45-50 late that evening and well into the next day.  The wind gradually subsided and came around to the northwest as the storm bumped against a cold front as it moved inland and was turned onto a northward path.  We were on the dry side.  We had only 0.9 inch of rain from the hurricane effect.  We had partial clearing and a little sunshine at sunset.

Ike mostly left a big mess for me to clean up.  Lots of what I call tree trash (leaves, twigs, small branches, etc.) are scattered everywhere.  Only one large tree limb fell onto the circle drive in front of the house.  The slow moving cold front that moved through about midnight to early morning the next day dumped 2.51 inches of rain.  It was accompanied by lots of thunder with several close strikes.  The morning dawned peacefully with partial clouds and as though nothing happened.  Mother Nature can be fickle.