High Pressure Rescue

After enduring a summer of relentless rain and floods from Tropical Storm Erin, it looked as if Texas Coast residents would have to flee Hurricane Dean, a category 4 storm that was slicing its way through the eastern Caribbean. A low pressure trough in the western Gulf of Mexico was creating an irresistable target for Dean, drawing it to the northwest.

Fortunately for Texans, a high pressure ridge over the Southeastern U.S. "backed into" the Gulf, changing the wind patterns and deflecting Dean's path to the south. Assuming a more westerly track, Dean strafed the southern coast of Jamaica and is now churning its way toward the Yucatan Peninsula; it will likely end up in northern Mexico.

No doubt, many Texans feel that their prayers have been answered. The Mexican faithful, on the other hand, are left wondering.