2. Weather

Hurricane Ike

Utter devastation and shocking footage from this huge hurricane. Over the years I have watched, learned and listened. This was the time to act. In fact, I have been waiting two years for this experience. The last two hurricane seasons had been very quiet indeed with nothing to bite at. 2008 was a lot more active. In fact, hurricane frequency (and climate change) is something I have been delving into as part of the http://www.elementalproject.com Atlantic Tropical Cyclone reports from the last 20 years show an average of 14 named storms, 7 of these becoming hurricanes and 3 of these becoming major (Cat 3 or above). During this period there have been a few fluctuations in number and intensity but nothing to verify current media hype that we are getting more (and bigger) hurricanes. Further data is needed to quantify that.

What an adventure it turned out to be. Action filled, technically, physically and mentally very challenging as well as a poignant reminder of what Mother Nature can dish up. This was the 9th named Atlantic storm of the season, the 4th hurricane and 3rd Major. This was Category 4 Hurricane IKE which made landfall at Galveston, Texas on Saturday 13th September 2008.
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  • Hurricane Ike, Texas, September 2008. Evidence of the approaching hurricane was all over Houston, 48 hours before landfall. Road signs, organised chaos in the shopping malls, residents boarding properties and evacuation was common. The skies however told a different story... bright, blue and not a breath of wind. What hurricane? Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/1000s

    Hurricane Ike, Texas, September 2008. Evidence of the approaching hurricane was all over Houston, 48 hours before landfall. Road signs, organised chaos in the shopping malls, residents boarding properties and evacuation was common. The skies however told a different story... bright, blue and not a breath of wind. What hurricane? Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5.6, 1/1000s

  • Arrival in Galveston at ground zero as we prepare the vehicle with wind measuring equipment. Stu Robinson, chase partner. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F4.5, 1/320s

    Arrival in Galveston at ground zero as we prepare the vehicle with wind measuring equipment. Stu Robinson, chase partner. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F4.5, 1/320s

  • Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/2500s

    Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/2500s

  • Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/1600s

    Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/1600s

  • Close up of the stilted buildings with the oncoming hurricane evident via the wild seas in the background. Olympus E3, 7-14mm, F4.5, 1/1250s

    Close up of the stilted buildings with the oncoming hurricane evident via the wild seas in the background. Olympus E3, 7-14mm, F4.5, 1/1250s

  • Boat damage was intense. This shot looked so unreal, almost man-made. To witness a boat sitting on top of a car like this was shocking. One can feel the power of the hurricane from this image alone. I was capturing history in the making. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5, 1/320s

    Boat damage was intense. This shot looked so unreal, almost man-made. To witness a boat sitting on top of a car like this was shocking. One can feel the power of the hurricane from this image alone. I was capturing history in the making. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD - F5, 1/320s

  • Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/1600s

    Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/1600s

  • The morning after hurricane Ike had made landfall. I was one of the first people at this amazing scene at daybreak. Storm surge debris was piled rooftop high along the entire stretch of coast road. Amongst the debris was many a property smashed to pieces. Such volume of surge debris is rarely seen and captured. It was not long before looters began ferreting around, followed by the Police who eventually sealed off the entire area. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/400s

    The morning after hurricane Ike had made landfall. I was one of the first people at this amazing scene at daybreak. Storm surge debris was piled rooftop high along the entire stretch of coast road. Amongst the debris was many a property smashed to pieces. Such volume of surge debris is rarely seen and captured. It was not long before looters began ferreting around, followed by the Police who eventually sealed off the entire area. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/400s

  • Close up of a stilted property. The ferocity of the bubbling Gulf sea behind the calmer surge made for an interesting composition. Amazingly I came across local residents who were staying put in properties such as this. The whole area was under a mandatory evacuation with a grim 'stay or die' message issued by the local Mayor. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/800s

    Close up of a stilted property. The ferocity of the bubbling Gulf sea behind the calmer surge made for an interesting composition. Amazingly I came across local residents who were staying put in properties such as this. The whole area was under a mandatory evacuation with a grim 'stay or die' message issued by the local Mayor. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/800s

  • I have never seen the sea this wild before. It was boiling with anger and warranted dedicated clutter free images. Hurricane landfall was still many hours away and I recall asking myself how much worse it could get? The normally clear seas were churned into a chocolate brown mix by the ferocious movement of water dragging up silt from the sea bed. This powerful shot really shows the power of the storm surge, which proved to be the storm's most destructive character for many a year. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/800s

    I have never seen the sea this wild before. It was boiling with anger and warranted dedicated clutter free images. Hurricane landfall was still many hours away and I recall asking myself how much worse it could get? The normally clear seas were churned into a chocolate brown mix by the ferocious movement of water dragging up silt from the sea bed. This powerful shot really shows the power of the storm surge, which proved to be the storm's most destructive character for many a year. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/800s

  • The sign was a must shot. No surfers, or sunbathers here today. The small hut was barely standing. It was a reality check on how delicate the balance between utopia and hell. The stay in Surfside beach was limited. Shortly after taking these photos the place became overwhelmingly flooded and cut off from the mainland. I got away just in time. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/3200s

    The sign was a must shot. No surfers, or sunbathers here today. The small hut was barely standing. It was a reality check on how delicate the balance between utopia and hell. The stay in Surfside beach was limited. Shortly after taking these photos the place became overwhelmingly flooded and cut off from the mainland. I got away just in time. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/3200s

  • Close up of the stilted buildings with the oncoming hurricane evident via the wild seas in the background. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD, F4.5, 1/1000s

    Close up of the stilted buildings with the oncoming hurricane evident via the wild seas in the background. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD, F4.5, 1/1000s

  • Advancing storm surge battering Surfside beach properties nr Freeport. Properties already flooded 15hrs before the actual hurricane made landfall. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD, F5, 1/320s

    Advancing storm surge battering Surfside beach properties nr Freeport. Properties already flooded 15hrs before the actual hurricane made landfall. Olympus E3, 12-60mm SWD, F5, 1/320s

  • Close up of a stilted property. The ferocity of the bubbling Gulf sea behind the calmer surge made for an interesting composition. Amazingly I came across local residents who were staying put in properties such as this. The whole area was under a mandatory evacuation with a grim 'stay or die' message issued by the local Mayor. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1600s

    Close up of a stilted property. The ferocity of the bubbling Gulf sea behind the calmer surge made for an interesting composition. Amazingly I came across local residents who were staying put in properties such as this. The whole area was under a mandatory evacuation with a grim 'stay or die' message issued by the local Mayor. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1600s

  • Close up of a stilted property. The ferocity of the bubbling Gulf sea behind the calmer surge made for an interesting composition. Amazingly I came across local residents who were staying put in properties such as this. The whole area was under a mandatory evacuation with a grim 'stay or die' message issued by the local Mayor. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1600s

    Close up of a stilted property. The ferocity of the bubbling Gulf sea behind the calmer surge made for an interesting composition. Amazingly I came across local residents who were staying put in properties such as this. The whole area was under a mandatory evacuation with a grim 'stay or die' message issued by the local Mayor. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1600s

  • The sign was a must shot. No surfers, or sunbathers here today. The small hut was barely standing. It was a reality check on how delicate the balance between utopia and hell. The stay in Surfside beach was limited. Shortly after taking these photos the place became overwhelmingly flooded and cut off from the mainland. I got away just in time. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1000s

    The sign was a must shot. No surfers, or sunbathers here today. The small hut was barely standing. It was a reality check on how delicate the balance between utopia and hell. The stay in Surfside beach was limited. Shortly after taking these photos the place became overwhelmingly flooded and cut off from the mainland. I got away just in time. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1000s

  • This sign was also a sterotypical must shot. No surfers, or sunbathers here today. The small hut was barely standing. It was a reality check on how delicate the balance between utopia and hell. The stay in Surfside beach was limited. Shortly after taking these photos the place became overwhelmingly flooded and cut off from the mainland. I got away just in time. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/640s

    This sign was also a sterotypical must shot. No surfers, or sunbathers here today. The small hut was barely standing. It was a reality check on how delicate the balance between utopia and hell. The stay in Surfside beach was limited. Shortly after taking these photos the place became overwhelmingly flooded and cut off from the mainland. I got away just in time. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/640s

  • Galvaston, the eye of hurricane Ike made landfall here. There was still some 12+ hours left and the advancing surge was already battering the sea defence wall. Many local people took advantage of a snapshot opportunity, albeit in a dangerous environment. Police were pretty quick to move in and warn them off, for their own safety. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/400s

    Galvaston, the eye of hurricane Ike made landfall here. There was still some 12+ hours left and the advancing surge was already battering the sea defence wall. Many local people took advantage of a snapshot opportunity, albeit in a dangerous environment. Police were pretty quick to move in and warn them off, for their own safety. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/400s

  • Galveston, the eye of hurricane Ike made landfall here. There was still some 12+ hours left and the advancing surge was already battering the sea defence wall. Many local people took advantage of a snapshot opportunity, albeit in a dangerous environment. Police were pretty quick to move in and warn them off, for their own safety. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/500s

    Galveston, the eye of hurricane Ike made landfall here. There was still some 12+ hours left and the advancing surge was already battering the sea defence wall. Many local people took advantage of a snapshot opportunity, albeit in a dangerous environment. Police were pretty quick to move in and warn them off, for their own safety. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/500s

  • Galveston, the eye of hurricane Ike made landfall here. There was still some 12+ hours left and the advancing surge was already battering the sea defence wall. Many local people took advantage of a snapshot opportunity, albeit in a dangerous environment. Police were pretty quick to move in and warn them off, for their own safety. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/500s

    Galveston, the eye of hurricane Ike made landfall here. There was still some 12+ hours left and the advancing surge was already battering the sea defence wall. Many local people took advantage of a snapshot opportunity, albeit in a dangerous environment. Police were pretty quick to move in and warn them off, for their own safety. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/500s

  • The full force of the hurricane as it makes a nightime landfall. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 8s

    The full force of the hurricane as it makes a nightime landfall. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 8s

  • This character provided me with a great opportune image. He and his pals were taking advantage of some fun snaps and I ran over to capture the moment. He was risking his life by carrying out this crazy activity. Moments like this are naturally unforeseen, reactive and more often than not reward photographers with great footage. Grab them when you can. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/400s

    This character provided me with a great opportune image. He and his pals were taking advantage of some fun snaps and I ran over to capture the moment. He was risking his life by carrying out this crazy activity. Moments like this are naturally unforeseen, reactive and more often than not reward photographers with great footage. Grab them when you can. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/400s

  • ITV's Chris Terrill was filming for a forthcoming documentary. He was really pushing the limits on his shooting angles and action shots. I shadowed him for a good while since it made for a great complementary subject to the wild sea. The 'drop off' signs were littered all along the sea front and doubled up as a solid secure object together with a great natural prop. A real worthy montage of images showcasing his filming skills. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1250s

    ITV's Chris Terrill was filming for a forthcoming documentary. He was really pushing the limits on his shooting angles and action shots. I shadowed him for a good while since it made for a great complementary subject to the wild sea. The 'drop off' signs were littered all along the sea front and doubled up as a solid secure object together with a great natural prop. A real worthy montage of images showcasing his filming skills. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F5, 1/1250s

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    Arrival in Galveston at ground zero as we prepare the vehicle with wind measuring equipment. Stu Robinson, chase partner. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F4.5, 1/320s
    Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/2500s
    Stilted buildings come as standard on the Gulf of Mexico coastline. These properties at Surfside Beach nr Freeport were already surrounded by advancing storm surge 15hrs before hurricane landfall. Many of these buildings survived the hurricane although similar properties along the coast and closer to the eye simply disappeared. Olympus E3, 50-200mm SWD - F4.5, 1/1600s