Published: September 13, 2008 06:43 pm      

Ike: Close call for some, direct hit for gulf

Hurricane Ike brought gusty winds and frequent rain to the area Saturday.

However, it could have been much worse.



"A 40 mile difference in the storm's path could have made things much, much worse for Navarro County," said Eric Meyers Jr., the county's emergency management coordinator. Because the storm's path took it east of Navarro County, Corsicana was spared much of the storm's power. Still, winds and rain filled the skies all day Saturday.



Loyd Huffman, operator of the Oak Valley weather radar site, reported just over one inch of rain on the city's west side - 1.11 inches through late Saturday. Slightly more than that was recorded at the Corsicana airport.



By late afternoon., winds had decreased from levels seen shortly after noon as the storm continued to more to the northeast. A peak wind gust of 40 miles per hour was recorded at the radar site. A peak of 46 miles per hour was recorded at the airport between noon and 1 p.m. Huffman said as the storm moved further north of Navarro County, rains would be ending from the west.



There have been several scattered power outages reported in rural areas of the county, but no widespread outages have been reported, and only minor glitches in electric service reported in the city of Corsicana.



Do not call 9-1-1 to report utility outages. Please contact your local service provider. Reserve 9-1-1 lines for emergency use only.



Corsicana is still playing host to nearly 200 evacuees from the City of La Porte, along with numerous 'special needs' nursing home patients being sheltered at Westhill Church of Christ and Heritage Oaks.



Unlike the situation with Hurricane Gustav, where residents returned to their homes quickly, many of the evacuees will be staying in Corsicana much longer until the status of their homes in the hard hit coastal region can be determined, and state officials issue a green light for their return.



The Red Cross is still looking for volunteers to help service the shelter set up at Cornerstone Baptist Church. All applicants must be processed in the Red Cross office. Background checks will be made on those wishing to volunteer. With the return of the work week Monday, officials are hopeful for more volunteers to help replace those who worked the weekend, but may have to return to their jobs.



The Salvation Army is requesting donations of food items to assist in feeding evacuees being sheltered in private homes and some motels. Donations may be brought to the Salvation Army building on East First Avenue.