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Ike Churns Closer as Evacuations Continue

Posted Sep 11, 08 4:04 PM CDT in US 

(AP) – Authorities in the Houston area and along the southeast Texas Gulf Coast ordered hundreds of thousands to evacuate today as Hurricane Ike lumbered toward the coast and threatened to grow even stronger. Traffic was building on roadways leading away from low-lying areas in Galveston County, and officials urged residents to finish storm preparations quickly. Some gas stations were running out of fuel as residents scurried to leave.

"It's a big storm. I cannot overemphasize the danger that is facing us," Gov. Rick Perry told a news conference. "It's going to do some substantial damage. It's going to cause massive flooding." Ike is expected to become at least a Category 3 storm, with winds upward of 111mph, before it comes ashore, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Some forecasts indicate Ike could grow to a Category 4, with winds of at least 131mph. Emergency officials warned it could drive a storm surge as high as 18 feet.

Source Associated Press

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Donald Mathis fishes in Corpus Christi Bay on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008. "The fishing is real good today," Mathis said. "I think the storm is bringing them in."   (AP Photo)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, foreground, speaks during a news briefing on Hurricane Ike Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, in Austin, Texas.   (Harry Cabluck)
A sheet of plywood covering a store window in Freeport, Texas carries a message regarding Hurricane Ike Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008.   (Pat Sullivan)
Adrian Demetreo boards the windows of Galveston Furniture Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 in Galveston, Texas. Hurricane Ike is expected to hit the Texas Gulf Coast this weekend.   (David J. Phillip)
Kelli Mercer paints a message on when she expects to be back after boarding up in preparation for Hurricane Ike in Victoria, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Walt Zaleski, with the National Weather Service, speaks about Hurricane Ike Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, in the state emergency operations center in Austin, Texas.   (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)
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