Ike Facts
- Most intense hurricane for the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
- Central pressure of 935 millibars and 125 knots or 145 mph winds, making it a Category 4 Hurricane on Saffir-Simpson Scale, which rates from 1 to 5, 5 being the most intense.
- Developed from a tropical wave [off the coast of Africa around August 29, 2008] that can be traced from a cluster of thunderstorms over Sudan.
- Made landfalls and affected Grand Turk Island, Bahamas, Haiti, and Cuba.
- Made final landfall on Galveston in the early morning hours of September 13, 2008, as a Category 2 Hurricane at 2:10 am CST.
- Affected Upper Texas Coast and Southwest Louisiana.
- Third costliest U.S. Hurricane after Katrina and Andrew.
- Claimed at least 46 lives in Texas and 6 lives in Louisiana.
- More than 4 million households lost power due to Ike.
- Up to 20% of water systems were shut down in areas affected by Ike.
When Hurricane Ike slammed ashore in the dark morning hours of September 13, 2008, it's Category 2 winds pummeled our city all day before it finally moved northeastward. Like many here in Houston, our home lost electrical power and landline phone. We had no/or low water pressure at various times. The following morning we found the neighbor's (behind us) oak tree had crashed through our back fence, narrowly missing one corner of our house where the kitchen is located. Some roof damage, and lots of tree limbs, etc., everywhere, and things in our yard that we knew do not belong to us, so we set them out in our front yard, hoping someone would drive by and recognize their belongings.
Our electrical power was restored on September 16, 2008, along with our landline phone shortly afterward, then the water pressure returned. We were more fortunate than many others, for which I gave daily thanks.
I felt compelled to put my thoughts down on paper, capturing the last few weary days. I'm not a poet, but these are the thoughts that were heavy on my heart. Take care, my friends. God bless you all.
HURRICANE IKE
And God’s Blessing through Testing
By J.E. Martin
The winds howled all night – 110 miles per hour strong –
During the early morning hours, pummeling us straight through to dawn
On September 13, 2008.
We hunkered down as lights went out, in and around the City of Houston.
Hit hard with a tidal surge was our nearby sister city of Galveston,
Along with other coastal towns who met the same dire fate.
The predicted 15- to 20-foot surge of water unfortunately did come true,
And many homes were lost to the storm, along with a few souls, too.
God took them home to see a brighter dawn within His Heavenly Gates.
We are not lost; our course is sure, as we follow His guiding hand,
For He will lead us where He needs us, at sea or on the land.
For God continues to provide for us, no matter our personal fate.
Give thanks for the small blessings that come your way – some ice here,
Groceries there, gasoline further down the road, standing in long lines where
You meet a new friend, wave to a neighbor, as we patiently wait and wait.
Hurricane Ike has not beaten us. Even his category two winds
And driving rain can’t keep us Texans down for long, as God sends
Us strength through prayer; our faith greatly tested of late.
He continues to bless us in small ways and large, knowing we’ll pass the test,
Meet the challenge, lend a hand, help a neighbor, show our best
As we continue the recovery well beyond this year 2008.