http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT07/refresh/AL0708W5+gif/143912W_sm.gif It's a bit early in the game right now. But this one looks fairly ominous. I'll try to keep posted as to how the warnings and evacuations go out in the area as this one approaches. (Plus some follow up). I wont be leaving town for this one, so, maybe I can get some pictures and video as well.
When I got home from work today, Gov. Bobby Jindal was holding a live press conference. He was going over general preparedness and what families should be doing at this point. Of course no one is certain what Gustav is going to do at this point, but Jindal is in a tough spot. Like Katrina, Gustav is going to be at a point to "make a decision" on the Friday before Labor Day. Jindal also pointed out a state program whereby there are 17 "pickup points" where, if anyone needs a ride out of town, they can gather and buses will evacuate them. The news and state government reaction has been, so far, markedly different than with Katrina. I haven't heard anything yet from mayor Nagin. That's not to say he hasn't spoken on the subject (I'm sure he has), I just haven't seen the coverage.
Jindal also has the advantage of learning from the previous dipshit's mistakes. Let's hope the local and federal officials have as well (which will be interesting, considering the local and federal officials are the same dipshits which were there last time) Take care and be safe Mr. Blue.
Good luck. It looks, as of now, like it will be staying east of us. Hopefully it does the same for you ... or better yet, doesn't strengthen like they are assuming.
I don't want to get into a pissing fit in this thread, but the previous dipshit had literally hundreds of prior Hurricanes to learn from.
A few websites of interest: www.nola.com is the website of the local newspaper (Times-Picayune). And the local New Orleans news radio station: www.wwl.com And an interesting site for tracking hurricanes: www.stormpulse.com Recently the hurricane folks have become pretty good at tracking hurricanes. Given that, this track is pretty disturbing: This is very very close to the same track as Katrina and would indicate landfall near the Mississippi/Louisiana border. It would also indicate a slightly different approach. Assuming this track doesnt vary (and it most certainly will), this would bring the hurricane into Lake Ponchartrain from a more easterly direction than Katrina. That would raise the possibility of pushing even more water into the lake from the Gulf of Mexico. Most people have that nervous sort of confidence about it though. There is a lot of "well, it can't be as bad as Katrina!" conversations. I understand that the motels in Baton Rouge are booked up as well as Jackson, Ms. The wife has already filled the car with gas and the news is asking people to prepare early. (Cleaning out freezers, flashlights, batteries, etc.) It is still my plan to stay. My daughter is an LSU student and will be fine. My son and wife will head to a friends house in North Louisiana. I left for Katrina, but am determined to experience this one. I am not prone to flooding unless things are extreme (worse than Katrina), and I want to video and photograph this one. I have my own water supply and am perfectly capable of surviving the aftermath. I also know from experience that, if the storm hits, cell phones, and telephones as well as electricity will be lost for days (if not weeks). If the storm does follow this track, I'd like for someone to give me an email address that I can text message updates to...
I haven't been over there since Katrina. It was pretty nice before... I've been to Waveland and Bay St Louis and Pascagoula though. Cantore got the $hit scared out of him the last time he was in Biloxi. He stayed at the VA for Katrina and, after it got 10 feet of water, he was, um, noticeably nervous.
I was in Biloxi two months after Katrina and Highway 90 was still closed. It was a ********ing wasteland. In some ways it was freakier than New Orleans. No, that's a lie. Nothing will be freakier than New Orleans was. I'm sure you know what you're doing but I'm going to worry knowing that you're staying.
One of my favorite places growing up was the Oceanarium in Gulfport. So depressing to see that place after the storm...
On the plus side, Haiti did a number to the storm, it is looking really raged right now. Bad news for Haiti, but good for the rest of us.
What's left of this storm is heading for Reggie Boyz land. I think think this storm may be dead and buried.
Remember how shocked everyone was at how much the gas prices jumped after Katrina? I think it was up to $3.29 in Dallas and we couldn't believe it. Pretty funny to read this now... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9146363/ Gas prices in cities across the United States soared by as much as 40 cents a gallon from Tuesday to Wednesday, a surge blamed on disruptions by Hurricane Katrina in Gulf of Mexico oil production. In the Atlanta area, a Chevron station in Stockbridge, Ga.'s price surged to $3.78 a gallon Wednesday afternoon and the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported many were charging $2.99 a gallon.