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Time to hunker down here

by Kay King
8 replies
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Yes, I'm still at home - and the first bands of Gustav are just making their presences known here. Looks like we're on the East side of the storm (left side would be better!).

The massive evacuation from New Orleans totally clogged our highways in MS last night and today. Plans to meet family today had to be cancelled as I might not have been allowed to return home tonight.

Several others on my street will be riding out Gustav here - so we can help each other if needed. MDOT made a smart move and relocated heavy equipment to various coastal areas - and have equipment to clear streets parked a few blocks from here.

Wow, really amazing how fast it has gone from blue skies to dark and dreary. It will alternate gusty/rainy and dark and calm for a few hours as the first bands come onshore. When the wind starts picking up pretty fast I'll shut down soon and disconnect the computer rather than trust surge protectors. Hopefully, power will stay on till sometime tomorrow...maybe.

So far, looks like the eye will go west of New Orleans so I'm hoping to be on the fringes of this one. On the bright side - the next 24-30 hours won't be boring.

Had planned to leave but with traffic massing everywhere and gas stations running out of fuel, sitting tight seemed smarter in the end. Worst threat seems to be a LOT of rain and a storm surge not as high as Katrina's.

kay
  • Profile picture of the author Ephrils
    I tried to contact a friend of mine on Friday when Gustav was still 4 days off. Nowhere to be found. I think he evacuated to Shreveport, where he did when Katrina hit.

    I've lived in Louisiana for over 20 years and was there when Katrina hit as well(we stayed) so I understand what you're going through. Board up the windows, get plenty of safety supplies since anything can become an issue over time, check everything, then check it again.

    I know people are having Hurricane parties, so hold on tight, pop open some rum, and watch the windows.
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomM
    Good luck girl.
    From what I seen on the weather channel there may be 3 more coming up in back of Gustav.
    I know I'm a 1,000+ miles away, but if there's anything I can do let me know.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Good Luck, girl. You're tough and you're smart - you can do this.
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      Beyond the Path

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      • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
        Have you lost your mind?

        Do you realize the leeves in the city may not hold (did they actually complete the repairs after Katrina hit), and you may be in a little rowboat before this is all over?

        I'm a sailor, and I wouldn't be down there. That should tell you something.
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        • Profile picture of the author ecoverartist
          Hi Kay,

          Be careful... I'm watching the storm come in on CNN now and the reporters are dropping like flies. All within 5 minutes.. incredible.

          Be safe!!!
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          • Profile picture of the author HeySal
            So Kay -- It's about 10:00 here in NY. How goes it? Everything holding tight so far?
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            • Profile picture of the author Kay King
              Got through Gustav fine - just some limbs down and minor flooding. (Floyd - I'm not in New Orleans - wouldn't live in a "bowl").

              The massive evacuation of New Orleans totally clogged the roads going north and east in Mississippi. Seeing the storm would go a bit west of us here, it was safer to stay home than to take a chance of being on a highway turned into a parking lot.

              I had the equivalent of a high category 1 hurricane here - lots of wind and rain going sideways. I was exhausted from stress because I was unable to meet my family in Hattiesburg Sunday as I had planned - and from getting ready for the storm. I ended up sleeping through the worst of it.

              There were some big improvements by local governments preparing for Gustav. My county spread heavy road clearing equipment throughout the county and there were national guard troops a mile from my house.

              What didn't work too well (but you won't see it on the news) was "contra-flow" where main highways in coastal Mississippi were turned into "north" only roads. They started it too late, would not allow cars to exit and re-enter along the way and created a massive gridlock for hours.

              New Orleans did a great job of getting people out - what a difference from Katrina! They also announced any looters would be sent directly to general population at the state penitentiary and charged later. The looting there after Katrina was disgusting but didn't happen this time.

              Every part of the country has its weather hazards - and for me the scary part of hurricanes is the time when you are waiting to see how strong it is and exactly where it will come ashore. Once the decision to stay or go is made, it becomes a matter of doing what has to be done.

              Still some rain today so the part I hate most is still waiting - cleaning up all the limbs and debris in the yard - while the no-see-ums bite you to pieces.

              The bright spot for me in watching the response in Louisiana and Mississippi is that due to the large number of pets lost in Katrina, both states now will let people take their pets with them to designated shelters. The pets are then picked up and transported to safety by the humane society.

              Katrina was a harsh lesson - but at least it seems we've improved our response due to what happened then. Looking at the activity in the Atlantic, think I'll just keep my hurricane supplies out for now

              kay
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              • Profile picture of the author HeySal
                Good to hear from you Kay - glad that thing eased off like it did. Knowing you were home, we were all relieved up here to see that the storm lost so much power before it hit there.

                And now we also have extra information about you:
                I'm not in New Orleans - wouldn't live in a "bowl"
                Kay in no way resembles a goldfish or guppy. Good to know that.
                I in no way resemble marine life either, so we have something in common.
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                Sal
                When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
                Beyond the Path

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