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Texas Boards Up as Ike Nears

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Sep 10, 2008 6:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – Oil tankers are scrambling to get into the ports of Galveston and Texas City before officials close them in anticipation of Hurricane Ike, set to hit land by Saturday, the Galveston County Daily News reports. The storm is gathering strength and could be a fearsome Category 4 when it lands somewhere between Houston and Corpus Christi, a region with the nation's largest concentration of oil refineries and chemical plants, the AP notes.

Meanwhile, Galveston's mayor declared a state of emergency and called for the voluntary evacuation of more than 10,000 residents from low-lying areas of the island, the Houston Chronicle reports. A city official warned that those hoping to ride out the storm could be stranded by expected tides of 8 feet combined with 3-5 inches of rain this weekend.

Josephine Williams and her grandson wait to be evacuated.
Josephine Williams and her grandson wait to be evacuated.   (AP Photo)
Senior citizens and people with special needs prepare to board a bus and be evacuated in Corpus Christi, Texas today.
Senior citizens and people with special needs prepare to board a bus and be evacuated in Corpus Christi, Texas today.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Dennis Rees boards up windows on Galveston Island today to prepare for Hurricane Ike.
Dennis Rees boards up windows on Galveston Island today to prepare for Hurricane Ike.   (AP Photo)
Graphic shows the projected path of Hurricane Ike.
Graphic shows the projected path of Hurricane Ike.   (AP Photo)
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