Category 1, Category 2, Category 3… so what’s the difference? Watch this. I wish I could show this animation to everyone – especially some media who blow off (no pun intended) a Category 2 (like Gustav) as if it were just a shower with a gentle breeze. If the animation doesn’t give a clear enough picture, look at these photos. People’s houses are destroyed. 

Gustav was no walk in the park, and we’re still dealing with it. You want to help? 

By the way, I’m sure you also know that Ike is coming. People along the Gulf Coast of Texas are evacuating in the face of what could become a gigantic storm, and 34 Oregonians have already been deployed to help. We’re going to need your help with that too. 

And speaking of help,  here are a few helpful resources for tracking Ike updates:

RedCross
Official twitter stream for the American Red Cross.

Johnwlittle
Houston blogger.

ChronHurricane
A single source for all of the Houston Chronicle’s hurricane tweets.

ChronSciGuy
Eric Berger, The Houston Chronicle’s storm tracking SciGuy.

TrackingIke
The official Twitter for the American-Statesman’s Hurricane Ike coverage.

HurricaneAlerts
Tracking hurricane and tropical storm news and warnings for the coastal United States.

KSATWeather
The official Twitter of KSAT 12 Weather. Tracking Hurricane Ike and will file tweets from San Antonio and beyond.

GregNordstrom
Storm chaser heading for Galveston, Tx.

GulfCoastLines
Hurricane Ike Info for Port Aransas & N. Padre Island.

eCitizenCorps
Uniting New Media Communities for National Preparedness.