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December 2, 2008 8:28:05 PM CST

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Coastal Rescuers Issue Final Plea to Flee

Posted Sep 12, 08 12:30 PM CDT in US 

(Newser) – Rescuers made a final pass through the coastal community of Surfside Beach, Texas, today, urging residents to get out while they can. Hours before massive Hurricane Ike even made landfall, half the town was underwater, the Houston Chronicle reports. Ike's eye is expected to pass near Galveston tonight or tomorrow, and remains on track to hit Houston.

"This will be our last sweep though here," said the fire chief of Surfside Beach, who drove around town in a dump truck to pick people up. "We won't be back until the storm has passed." At least four people took the ride. Despite official warnings of unprecedented storm surges and even "certain death" in some areas, one 47-year-old said he's staying. "It's just water, man," he said.

Source Houston Chronicle

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This image provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Ike in the Gulf of Mexico at 11:15 a.m. EDT Friday Sept. 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/NOAA)
Surfside Beach Police Chief Randy Smith wades through floodwaters as he tries to encourage residents to evacuate Surfside Beach, Texas, Friday.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Surfside Beach Police and firefighters tour flooding neighborhoods in Surfside Beach, Texas, Friday.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
With the early effects of Hurricane Ike being realized, Mayor Larry Davison surveys the rising tide in Surfside Beach, Texas, Friday.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
A man trudges through flood water caused by Hurricane Ike in Surfside Beach, Texas, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, as the big storm approaches the Texas Gulf Coast.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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