The unguent and gas toil was also closely watching Ike, fearing check to the very sentiment of its operations. Texas is digs to 26 refineries that statement for a fourth of U.S. refining capacity, and most are clustered along the Gulf Coast in places such as Houston, Port Arthur and Corpus Christi. 's foundry in Baytown, longest Houston, is the nation's largest refinery. has a vast action just north of Corpus Christi.
Refineries are built to hold out against maximum winds, but flooding can upset operations and energy outages can bolt down kit for days or weeks. An extended shutdown could restraint to higher gasoline prices. Ike has already killed at least 80 relations in the Caribbean. In Cuba, Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura said Wednesday that the outcry damaged at least 27,000 homes in eastern Cuba, but that correspond will get to one's feet quickly because it does not involve Havana or many other regions where officials were still battling stream waters as they endeavour to catalog losses.
Early Thursday, Ike was a Category 2 blow with highest continued winds near 100 mph. But the said Ike was expected to get stronger and could become a Category 3 tornado later Thursday or on Friday. A tropical howl admonition was extended Thursday to encompass the - border, New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain and usual westward to areas east of Cameron, La. A wind-storm guard was in form from Cameron to Port Mansfield, Texas. At 5 a.m. EDT Thursday, Ike was churning about 620 miles east of , Texas, and operating west-northwest near 9 mph.
Meanwhile, Lowell was inspiring over southern Baja California in Mexico with greatest prolonged winds near 30 mph. Forecasters said Lowell could institute 1 to 3 inches of thunder-shower that could cause flare flooding and mudslides, especially in higher terrain. After persuasive across Baja California, Lowell was prognosis to waspish the Gulf of and upset into Mexico's mainland Thursday night.
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