Rescue operation underway for Ike survivors
Ike, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm, will pass over the state of Arkansas in the next few hours
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Sunday, 14, Sep 2008 08:58
A search and rescue operation is underway in Texas to help those affected by the Category Two Hurricane Ike which made landfall in the US yesterday.
Thousands of residents of Galveston chose to ignore mandatory evacuation orders and stern warnings that they would face certain death if they remained in their homes.
Hurricane Ike packed winds of up to 110 mph and caused flooding and power cuts in large parts of Louisiana and Texas. Local officials have confirmed two deaths from Ike in the two states so far.
Previously, US president George Bush had declared Texas a federal disaster zone and emergency preparations are currently underway to help those whose property has been damaged by the severe weather system.
Speaking about relief efforts, Texas Governor Rick Perry told the BBC: "We pre-positioned the largest search and rescue operation in the history of the state of Texas in advance of this storm.
"There are thousands of personnel and vehicles that were very close in to where the storm struck the coast."
Hurricane Ike is the ninth severe weather system of the Atlantic storm season this year. It has now been downgraded to a tropical storm and is expected to pass over the southern state of Arkansas in the next few hours.