Thousands of Texans flee Ike
Hurricane Ike continues to gather strength en route to Texan offshore oil platforms as tens of thousands of people flee coastal areas.
The Category 2 storm packing 100mph winds could grow to a ferocious Category 4 storm winds of 132mph before hitting land late Friday or early Saturday, the National Hurricane Centre has said.
Ike's current path would see it hit the Texas coast near Freeport in Brazoria County, just south of Galveston, having skirted to the west of the Gulf of Mexico's main region for offshore production.
In Harris County, Judge Ed Emmett said: "We're not talking about gently rising water. We are talking about a storm surge."
On Wednesday, President George W Bush declared a federal emergency for Texas, allowing for some disaster assistance.
Texas Governor Rick Perry said that some people would likely stay put in their homes despite being told to evacuate. He said he wants to see "buses, not body bags" and put 1,350 coaches on standby to carry those fleeing the hurricane.
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