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'Catastrophic' storm hits Texas 'Catastrophic' storm hits Texas
(40 minutes later)
Hurricane Ike has made landfall on the Gulf coast of Texas, where it is expected to cause "potentially catastrophic" flooding and damage.Hurricane Ike has made landfall on the Gulf coast of Texas, where it is expected to cause "potentially catastrophic" flooding and damage.
It hit land at Galveston at 0710 GMT, with winds of up to 110 mph (175km/h).It hit land at Galveston at 0710 GMT, with winds of up to 110 mph (175km/h).
Much of the city, which in 1900 was the scene of the country's deadliest hurricane, was already under water after a 12ft (3.7m) storm surge.Much of the city, which in 1900 was the scene of the country's deadliest hurricane, was already under water after a 12ft (3.7m) storm surge.
The National Hurricane Center says the eye of the storm is now turning away from Houston, heading towards Arkansas. The eye of the storm, which has since weakened to a Category One, is turning away from Houston, towards Arkansas.
We are largely trapped here. The power went out five hours ago, the lowest floor is submerged. Rajesh Mirchandani BBC News, Houston Ike eyewitness: 'I am afraid''One million homeless' in Haiti The rain is coming sideways Jessica Willey local journalist based in Galveston Ike eyewitness: 'I am afraid''One million homeless' in Haiti
Mandatory evacuation orders affected more than one million people, but there are fears for up to 90,000 people across Texas who officials say decided to brave out the storm.Mandatory evacuation orders affected more than one million people, but there are fears for up to 90,000 people across Texas who officials say decided to brave out the storm.
In Galveston, an estimated 23,000 residents stayed behind.In Galveston, an estimated 23,000 residents stayed behind.
President George W Bush, who earlier declared a federal emergency in Texas, said the federal and state authorities would conduct the recovery effort together, bringing in generators and ensuring water and ice supplies.President George W Bush, who earlier declared a federal emergency in Texas, said the federal and state authorities would conduct the recovery effort together, bringing in generators and ensuring water and ice supplies.
US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is due to arrive in Texas on Saturday, weather conditions permitting, he added, speaking at the White House.US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is due to arrive in Texas on Saturday, weather conditions permitting, he added, speaking at the White House.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has waived federal clean air regulations for petrol sold in states affected by the storm, in an effort to reduce fuel disruption.The US Environmental Protection Agency has waived federal clean air regulations for petrol sold in states affected by the storm, in an effort to reduce fuel disruption.
Ike has halted more than a fifth of US oil production, forcing 17 refineries in the Gulf of Mexico to shut down as a precaution.
Rain and debrisRain and debris
A local journalist, Jessica Willey, based in Galveston which lies on a small island off the coast of Texas, told the BBC that it was the worst storm she had ever seen. Jessica Willey, a journalist based in Galveston which lies on a small island off the coast of Texas, told the BBC it was the worst storm she had ever seen:
See the likely path of Hurricane Ike through the USEnlarge ImageSee the likely path of Hurricane Ike through the USEnlarge Image
"The winds are sustained at 120 mph (193km/h) per hour, or higher. The rain is coming sideways. Debris is flying through the air. Things are getting ripped off buildings every second, and flying through the air," she said. "The rain is coming sideways. Debris is flying through the air. Things are getting ripped off buildings every second, and flying through the air.
"It's just overall incredibly dangerous right now to be outside." All emergency workers have been pulled off the streets until daybreak when a curfew will be lifted.
The Galveston fire department has received more than 100 calls for help, the Houston Chronicle newspaper reported, but all emergency workers have been pulled off the streets until daybreak when a curfew will be lifted. "We hope we will find the people who are left here alive and well," said Galveston mayor Lynda Ann Thomas.
Those who called were told to climb up as high as they could in their homes. There is widespread flooding, and a hospital there is under at least 9.8ft (3 metres of water). The city has lost power and a number of houses are reported to be on fire.
"We don't know what we are going to find," Galveston mayor Lynda Ann Thomas said. "We hope we will find the people who are left here alive and well." Residents of low-lying homes were warned they faced "certain death" if they stayed.
There is widespread flooding, and a hospital there is under at least 9.8ft (3 metres of water). The city has lost power and a number of houses were reported to be on fire. Haitian appeal
It will be several hours before it is possible to gauge the scale of the damage. At 1300 GMT, Hurricane Ike was about 20 miles (30km) south-southeast of Huntsville, Texas, with top sustained winds of nearly 90mph (145km/h).
Residents of low-lying homes were warned that they faced "certain death" if they stayed.
Emory Sallie, 44, was one of those who chose to stay behind despite warnings of a 20ft-25ft (6m-7.6m) storm surge.
"If it ain't your time you ain't going anywhere," he told AP news agency, while walking and drinking a beer near his home before the storm hit.
'Very large'
At 1100 GMT, Hurricane Ike was about 15 miles (25km) east of Houston airport.
The BBC's John Hammond tracks the path of Hurricane IkeThe BBC's John Hammond tracks the path of Hurricane Ike
There were fears that the city of Houston would take a direct hit, but forecasters say Ike is moving away from the city and is expected to head north-east toward Arkansas. It was due to pass through eastern Texas during the day, reaching western Arkansas on Saturday night, according to US National Hurricane Center.
However, it remains a strong Category 2 storm with winds of up to 100mph (161km/h).
Hurricane force winds extend outwards from the eye of the storm for 125 miles (205km) and tropical storm force winds by 260 miles (415km).
US officials have warned as many as 100,000 homes in Texas could be affected by flooding.US officials have warned as many as 100,000 homes in Texas could be affected by flooding.
Nearly 4.5 million people in the Houston-Galveston area are without electricity, a spokesman for power company CenterPoint Energy said.Nearly 4.5 million people in the Houston-Galveston area are without electricity, a spokesman for power company CenterPoint Energy said.
The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Houston says ferocious winds and rain have been lashing at his hotel for 10 hours.The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani in Houston says ferocious winds and rain have been lashing at his hotel for 10 hours.
"We are largely trapped here," he said. "The power went out five hours ago, the lowest floor is submerged. Outside walls and ceilings have collapsed, the glass atrium in the lobby shattered.
"With the threat of rising seas, hotel guests have been ushered into the concrete stairwell, the sturdiest part of the building, and urged to climb to higher floors," he said.
The massive system is causing flooding along the Louisiana coast, still recovering from Hurricane Gustav earlier this month.The massive system is causing flooding along the Louisiana coast, still recovering from Hurricane Gustav earlier this month.
1900 GALVESTON HURRICANE Thought to be worst natural disaster in US history8,000 people killed130mph (209km/h) winds and 15ft (4.6m) waves swept homes away Flashback: Galveston's great storm1900 GALVESTON HURRICANE Thought to be worst natural disaster in US history8,000 people killed130mph (209km/h) winds and 15ft (4.6m) waves swept homes away Flashback: Galveston's great storm
Authorities are trying to avoid a repeat of 2005, when some 110 people died in Houston during a chaotic evacuation in the face of Hurricane Rita.Authorities are trying to avoid a repeat of 2005, when some 110 people died in Houston during a chaotic evacuation in the face of Hurricane Rita.
"Our nation is facing what is by any means a potentially catastrophic hurricane," said Mr Chertoff. Mr Chertoff said Ike was a "potentially catastrophic hurricane".
He added: "This storm is so big in fact that its impact is already being felt all along the Gulf Coast." Earlier, it caused devastation in Cuba and Haiti, where hundreds of people have died in several tropical storms over the last month.
In the Gulf of Mexico, ports are shut and almost all energy production has been suspended as a precaution, although Ike was expected to miss most of the installations. The Haitian Prime Minister, Michele Pierre-Louis, believes one million people may be homeless, and has called for international help.
Ike has already caused devastation in Cuba and Haiti, where hundreds of people have died in several tropical storms over the last month.
The Haitian prime minister, Michele Pierre-Louis, believes one million people may be homeless, and has called for international help.
The UN says more than $100m (£55.8m) is needed.The UN says more than $100m (£55.8m) is needed.
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