Ike

What can I really say that hasn't already been said regarding the devastation and destruction that was Hurricane Ike?

Just a few photos I found online pretty much say it all.

This is a scene from Galveston, before.

Awesome, eh?

Looks like it could be Hawaii.

Looks really gorgeous.

Typical beachfront barrier island from the sky..

Then... the warnings came.

Ike was coming.

Getting out. Everyone seems to be going one way....

The sign says "Hurricane Forming In Gulf"...

no shit.

Satellite photo of Ike approaching...

Ike from space..

Galveston Island, after Ike.

Photo: USCG

Galveston

Galveston

near the sea wall in Galveston

nearby coastal town of Gilchrist,TX

Hollywood Community Cemetery in Orange, TX
AP photo/Tony Gutierrez
(how disturbing is that?...)

Animals were not amused by the storm, either.

not-so-happy alligator on sabine pass, TX
(NOT its regular habitat)

small pic, but brutal.

How do you even begin to clean this up?

Bolivar Peninsula (TX)

Houston did not escape Ike's wrath either.

JP Morgan building
Downtown Houston

And of course other states had flooding as well.

an example: Hackberry, LA

Here in western PA, Ike coming through provided a major windstorm sunday night, knocking out power and bringing down tree limbs all around the area, including my own backyard. We more than likely had gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. The wind was just howling! It was a surreal scene, though, as we stood out on our deck to experience it, the moon (nearly full) shone down from a near-clear sky. It was weird.

Now, triple that wind speed, add storm surge and flooding, and you can only imagine what these folks down south went through as Ike tore a path through.

Nasty.

And I thought they'd retire Gustav's name.
I'm thinkin' no more Ike.