Ike poses serious threat

The forward speed of the system has increased to 12 mph toward the WNW. The sustained wind speeds in Hurricane Ike are 100 mph.

Thursday, September 11th 2008, 10:54 pm

By: News 9

By Gary England, NEWS 9 Chief Meteorologist

At 9:45 p.m. Thursday, the forward speed of the system increased to 12 mph toward the WNW. The sustained wind speeds in Ike are 100 mph.

Further intensification is possible before the eye reaches Galveston late Friday night and Saturday morning.

It is not out of the question that Ike will reach the Texas coast near Galveston with sustained winds of 120 mph, with gusts to 150 mph, along with a storm surge of up to 20 feet. If this happens, the storm will be a serious threat to life and property.

Oklahoma will continue with a chance of heavy rains in NW Oklahoma on Friday and in central and eastern Oklahoma late Saturday and early Sunday. However, it will not be raining on a continuous basis.

As the tropical cyclone moves east of Oklahoma late Saturday and Sunday, winds will increase northerly across the state at 15 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph.

If you're headed to Dallas, the weather will be very stormy on Saturday. Heavy rains and high winds.