The first EP video of Hurricane IKE is now online in the Videos section. It captures the build up and storm surge at Surfside Beach nr Freeport and Galvaston Island, landfall at Galvaston Island and damage the following morning.

Hurricane IKE Video link

A brief summary which brings me upto the hurricane aftermath.

Flew into Houston, Texas on Thursday. Predicting the hurricane would make direct landfall in Galvaston we drove down to Galvaston Island. On the way we called in at Freeport (about 50 miles south west of Galvaston) and was amazed how strong the winds ahead of the hurricane were already (and rising waters). Lots of houses on stilts and some people refused to evacuate. This was amazingly 36 hours before hurricane landfall. The power of the storm was being felt very early! We then attempted to drive along the peninsular road direct to Galvaston but this was already flooded and impassable. We drove back inland and found another way through.

We camped at a hotel (San Luis - highest on island) and all the TV stations and press were here and waited for the hurricane to make landfall. Watched and captured the build up and the eye came right over us in the early hours (2am). Winds were incredible our weather equipment recorded the data. Hotels all around us were falling apart, debris was flying through the air. It was incredible. We parked our car in a concrete multi storey car park which got flooded and we were stranded here all night. Had no sleep and watched the hurricane intensity ALL night. When the eye pased over us (we were smack bang in the middle of it and have a radar /gps shot to prove it) It was amazing. The winds dropped and it went very warm, mosquitos all came out and everyone came out from the hotel and everywhere to experience the eye. Surreal madness. This lasted 1.5 hrs and then the second half of the storm ripped in. The wind flow reversed and increased to more intense speed.  This lasted until daybreak.

When we went outside after it had eventually passed it was a mess. Debris, damage everywhere. Roads impassable, some of which were ripped apart by the 120mph winds and tarmac ripped off. We drove around capturing the debris. Buildings had disappeared, road flooded, residents walking around in shock begging us for water, cigarettes etc. Very distresing. We contd this all day. Saw house fires only 100 yds from the sea with fire crews ironically having no water to deal with them and just watch them blaze away. Many low lying streets flooded, people wading all around. Boats sitting on roads, roads unpassable. Galvaston island was stranded and cut off.

We managed to drive out  at end of day and saw why the only road into Galvaston Island was closed. It was blocked with over 100 boats/yachts and debris. Bulldozers were clearing a way through as we passed.

We eventually got back to Houston Sat night and power out everywhere. Local Tv/radio reporting 5 million Texas residents without power. Downtown Houston is now on curfew all week.

Lots more images in gallery.

Mark

Friday. Hurricane makes landfall tonight. We drove 5o miles down to the coast of Freeport and then on into Galvaston. It is truly wild here. I have never seen the sea so wild. It is bubbling and the hurricane is still 12hours away! It looks like we will bunker in here at Galvaston, right on the coast and see what play. Mother Nature does not come any more extreme and wilder than this.

An image from the coastline showing the waves crashing in.

We have arrived in Houston, Texas after a 10 hour flight. The plane was almost empty, not surprising I suppose. A nice luxury having a choice of seats.

We have transferred to our hotel in Sugar Land for the evening. Lots of traffic jams as people are already evacuating the area and queues at gas stations. People are buying up wooden boarding by the truck load at the local mall. We shall stock up on fuel and supplies this evening in readiness for tomorrow where the plan is to head down to the coast near Galvaston.  Here we aim to observe the onset of flooding and surge and check out a good location to wait and watch for the hurricane which is planned to batter us with sustained winds in excess of 100mph. It’s all very exciting and lots of apprehension.

Latest forecasts indicate a Category 2 hurricane will make landfall Friday evening (CDT) with the eye hitting Galvaston Bay head on.

Green light. The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) predicts Hurricane IKE will be a “historic” major hurricane strike on the South East Texas coast line on Saturday.

We fly out from London on Thursday morning (11th) arriving in Houston Thursday afternoon. Upon arrival we plan to target a location where IKE will make landfall and capture every minute of the action

Press and Media - Mark can be contacted on the following tel no’s during intercept for reportage:-

UK mobile: 07966 770430
US mobile: (from UK 001) 312-246-3170 (I will be 6 hours behind UK time)

Welcome to The Hurricane Project Blog.

Mark and Stuart are watching closely Hurricane IKE as he exits Cuba and enters the Gulf of Mexico over the next few hours. Current predictions are to continue as a Major Hurricane and make landfall along the Texas coastline, in the vicinity of Corpus Christi.

They are currently planning to leave UK on Thursday morning flying out to Corpus Christi via Houston.

A green light will be issued confirming departure tomorrow (Wed 10th). Media and Press telephone numbers will then be issued for reporting upon request.