Ike Emerges Into Gulf Of Mexico

Ike emerges in Gulf of Mexico

MIAMI (AP) - The eye of Hurricane Ike has cleared Cuba and has
emerged in the Gulf of Mexico.
After ripping across the island nation it is just barely a
hurricane, with 75-mile-an-hour winds, but forecasters think it
will gain power again, possibly becoming a major hurricane, before
hitting the U.S. Gulf Coast or northern Mexico sometime this
weekend.
At 5 P.M. Eastern time, the National Hurricane Center reports
Ike's center was just off the northern coast of western Cuba. The
storm is moving toward the west-northwest at nearly 10
miles-per-hour.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the
center. Tropical storm force winds extend outward as far 175 miles.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Florida Keys.
Isolated tornadoes and waterspouts are possible over the Florida
and extreme South Florida through tonight.

Check out the latest advisories from the National Hurricane Center Below:

Get more information from our Hurricane Center by clicking here

Ike kills 4 in Cuba, takes aim at Gulf

HAVANA (AP) - Winds are howling and heavy rains falling across Havana as Hurricane Ike continues its westward trek across Cuba.

With Ike centered 40 miles south of Cuba's capital, Havana has the look of a ghost town with streets empty of both cars and people. More than a million people have evacuated their homes. Hurricane Ike is being blamed for at least 79 deaths in the Caribbean and four in Cuba.

Just 90 miles north of Havana, Ike's storm surge is causing minor flooding in Key West, Florida. Waves are crashing over the sea wall on Duval Street, and the outer bands are bringing rain and wind to the island.

Ike is forecast to move into the Gulf of Mexico later in the day and its 80 mile-per-hour winds are expected to grow stronger. Texas or northern Mexico could be hit by the weekend.

Oil dips as Ike threat eases

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Oil prices dropped today, as Hurricane Ike appeared less likely to strike energy facilities in the Gulf of Mexico.

Light, sweet crude for October delivery dropped $1.92 to $104.42 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by afternoon in Dubai. The contract inched up 11 cents to settle at $106.34 following a volatile session yesterday.

Oil prices have plunged nearly 30 percent after nearing $150 a barrel in July.

Gulf states anxiously eye Ike

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Texas and Louisiana are getting ready for Hurricane Ike, which is forecast to make landfall along the Gulf Coast by the weekend.

A disaster has been pre-declared in 88 Texas counties and Governor Rick Perry has put 7,500 National Guard troops on standby.

Forecasters warn the storm could hit near Corpus Christi but say storm paths are hard to predict this far out.

In Louisiana, where thousands remain without power after Hurricane Gustav hit last week, Governor Bobby Jindal is urging residents to stockpile food, water, batteries and other supplies. His state has been getting shelters ready and is making plans for trains, buses and planes in case a coastal evacuation is called for.

Ike is supposed to deliver heavy rain and wind to the Florida Keys as it brushes by.

Web exclusive video:
Cuba Takes a Hit From Ike