Friday, 9/12/08, 1:00 PM CDT

IKE IS NOW BEARING DOWN ON THE COASTLINE, ALREADY CREATING LARGE STORM SURGES.

The storm is really not changing much. It is still large, but lacks that well defined inner core. Really at this point it has lost its big chance to get stronger and will most likely stay a strong category 2. However, there is still a slight chance that it could become a major hurricane.

Already we've seen the storm surge get up to 9 feet. When this is all said and done, this number could get as high as 25 feet. That would topple two story houses. Also, the rainfall amounts will start to roll in soon. When the storm passes, there is a possibility of seeing 15 inches. That could cause massive flooding in some places.

Hurricane Warnings are in effect from Morgan City, LA to north of Port Arkansas, TX.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect from Port Arkansas, TX to Mansfield, TX and from East of Morgan City, LA to the Mississippi-Alabama border, Including New Orleans.

CURRENT STATS FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
Pressure: 955 mb (estimated)
Winds: 105 mph
Movement: West-Northwest at 12 mph
Hurricane Winds extend up to 120 miles from the center.
Tropical Storm Winds extend up to 275 miles from the center.