Follow Hurricane Ike's Projected Path

As Hurricane Ike starts to take aim, Hurricane Gustav has diminished, but is still expected to bring considerable rain to the Mississippi River basin. Tropical Storm Hannah may reach category 1 status before sliding up the east coast of the United States, but the one hurricane we should be watching now is Hurricane Ike. This storm has is still far out in the Atlantic, but it has already achieved Category 4 strength. Hurricane Ike has a sustained wind speed of 145 miles per hour. There is still a lot of warm deep water in Hurricane Ike's projected path before it approaches the United States. Hurricane paths can be tricky to predict 5-7 days in advance, but right now it looks as it Hurricane Ike's projected path will take it right over the Bahamas. Unlike Haiti or Cuba, the islands of the Bahamas are too small to cause considerable weakening of Hurricane Ike as it continues on its track toward the east coast.

Projected Path of Hurricane Ike

That means that Hurricane Ike may continue on undiminished as at least a category 4 storm and possibly even reach category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane strength. Current path projections put Hurricane Ike on a track to collide with the Carolinas late next week. Hurricane Hannah's effect on the Carolinas will almost certainly be very minor compared to Hurricane Ike if it maintains its current track and strength. Although NOAA projections suggest the highest probability is for Hurricane Ike to fall to a category 3 storm before it reaches the east coast, that still means winds in excess of 111 miles per hour. It is still early, so keep an eye on Hurricane Ike, conditions and projections will change over the next few days. By this week-end forecasters should have a very good idea of its projected path and strength as it approaches the east coast.

Minor Hurricane Hannah May Provide False Sense of Security

The relatively small impact expected from Hannah makes Hurricane Ike much more dangerous as it lulls residents into believing that it is safe to stay home and ignore precautions. Indeed, while Hannah may only bring sustained winds of 70-80 miles per hour, it can cause weakening of structures in its track. The rain it dumps can soften the ground making it more difficult for trees to stay upright during the next storm. That next storm, Hurricane Ike, will likely carry very destructive winds. Winds of 145 miles per hour can rip the roof completely off many residential structures. Shingles, boards, and other debris will be caught up by those winds and hurtle through the air with deadly force. If the projected path of Hurricane Ike includes your area, heed the warnings. Coastal locations will almost certainly call for evacuations. Low-lying areas, especially of Hurricane Hannah went through a few days before Hurricane Ike, will face strong likelihood of severe flooding. Don't let Hannah fool you, hurricanes as powerful as Ike should not be taken lightly.

Josephine Follows Hurricane Ike's Track

Tropical Storm Josephine is following Ike out in the Atlantic, though it's too early to say how that storm will develop or what track it will take as it gets closer to land. The peak of the hurricane season is mid-September, and the activity in the Atlantic is showing us why. With a seemingly endless line of tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes sweeping across the Atlantic, residents of coastal areas along the east coast and the gulf coast should make sure their hurricane preparations are in order now. That means choosing an evacuation route should your local authorities call for you to leave, having at least three days of non-perishable food and water available in the event of extended power outages, and knowing where to turn for the latest storm tracks and projected path of Hurricane Ike and others. Right now, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas are at risk although a more northerly track is most likely for Hurricane Ike.

Best Sources for Hurricane Ike Path Projections and Track

One of the best places for complete hurricane tracking information is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Here you'll find complete information on the projected path of Hurricane Ike and every major storm. They provide 3 and 5 day path projection cones and an estimate of the likelihood of winds reaching tropical storm force or higher all along the path of each storm. Use your local news station's website for detailed information about local conditions and evacuation orders.