Docs Prep for Hurricane Ike Baby 'Boomlet'

(NEWSER) - Officials in the coastal Texas town of Galveston are baffled by a series of arson fires targeting palm trees, the Houston Chronicle reports. “This is strange,” the town’s fire marshal says of the spree, which has hit 30 trees since May. “It’s the first case in my experience dealing with a tree arsonist.” More»

Bush and Clinton, having raised $1.5M, see more need in devastated Texas

(NEWSER) - Former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton called today for more money to aid Texas communities devastated by Hurricane Ike, the Houston Chronicle reports. The pair, who toured the Galveston area, has raised $1.5 million for their Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund. The money will be used to augment state and local efforts once reconstruction begins. More»

Man who died saving dogs during Hurricane Ike hailed as hero

(NEWSER) - An email from a stranger brought an entirely unexpected end to Alaina Emery’s 13-year hunt for her father. “Is your father’s name Robert Emery?” the emailer asked. “The whole city of Houston is looking for any relatives.” Emery, Alaina soon learned, was being hailed as a hero, having died while dashing across a freeway trying to save three dogs during Hurricane Ike, reports the Houston Chronicle. More»

Strong winds, waves damaged dozens of oil platforms

(NEWSER) - Hurricane Ike knocked at least a half million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico and nearby waterways, according to an AP analysis of environmental reports. Worst hit were oil platforms near the coast of Louisiana, but about half of the spill occurred at a facility on Goat Island, Texas. More than 50 platforms were destroyed in all and 32 others took damage. More»

Earlier return may have curbed fungus on Galveston Island

(NEWSER) - Initial relief that their Texas property survived Hurricane Ike quickly dissipated for many returning to Galveston Island who discovered colorful mold breeding wildly on virtually everything left standing. Damp, hot buildings were left sealed for two weeks when residents evacuated, giving the fungus plenty of time to nestle into the foundations and create a health nightmare, the Houston Chronicle reports. More»