Ike is "visiting" us here in NW Florida

[82Rigger]

Storm swells from Ike started arriving here early this morning.

The swells are generating 15-20 foot waves on our beaches.

The weather is generally clear, but we have a HUGE surf, and a "high tide" when there should be no tide.

The waves are over-washing portions of our coastal highway (Highway 98).

If everything is quiet and still, I can "feel" the surf pounding through the ground here at my house.

It's kind of eerie knowing that this is what Dr. Isaac Cline, Galveston's meteorlogist, experienced as he stood on the beach at Galveston 108 years ago on the day before the deadly hurricane arrived...the pounding surf with clear skies...the high tide where there should be no tide...all this telling his senses that something is wrong...but not understanding what or why.

Hope the Texans are hunkered down and hangin' on to their butts.