I hope the impact isn't as bad as some have predicted, but if it is to be, then I really hope Don M and our other members and friends in Louisiana, Mississippi, and perhaps Alabama have found safer and higher ground.

I have a few friends in Lafayette and I hope for the best for them as well, although they may be a bit luckier on this one as it appears that Lafayette may possibly escape the worst of the storm...

Good luck to all and stay safe...

AJ

I appreciate your thoughts! However we are well out of the storm's path up here in Northwest Louisiana. We'll be lucky to get a little rain from it.
The Shreveport area has filled up with folks running from the storm. Shelters are open, and the five casinos are doing landmark business!
I really think anyone living north of Lafayette will be o.k.
Not so the folks in and around New Orleans. This could well be the worst natural disaster to ever hit the U.S. On a related note, you can expect gasoline and oil prices to soar even higher. Most of our nation's fuel either originates in the Gulf or comes through there. The only port that can handle supertankers from overseas is closed as are all the rigs and distributions facilities in the area. We will most likely face a real shortage instead of an aledged shortage!
Also even those folks taking refuge in the fairly secure Superdome may be in for trouble, as the Dome is more or less an elevated island in the middle of a bowl. It may be days or weeks before they get out of there.
People in the hospitals will almost certainly be moved to the highest floors. They have generators, but will most likely run out of fuel for them after a few days at most.
At the best it will be awful, with many dead. There are bound to be so many complications after the storm--disease, animals (alligators), decaying remains, etc.
New Orleans needs our prayers, and Mississippi and maybe even Mobile are in for severe trouble as well.
DonM

My sister Kathy and her family, as well as other friends live in Lafayette, LA so are fortunately going to be (hopefully) a fairly safe distance from full brunt of Katrina, though they're prepared for whatever evacuation orders may come their way. My brother in law works for a large helicopter maintenance company which transports workers to/from the gulf's oil rigs, and concurs with DonM that US oil prices nationwide will soar far higher than it already is as a result of this disaster.

The historic New Orleans French Quarter has been a longtime favorite travel destination of mine for years, from attending annual Mardis Gras, Bourbon St clubbing, Jackson Square, walking the beautiful historic narrow streets of building laced with wrought iron, taking in the music at the Preservation Jazz Hall, Music at Snug Harbor, and coffee & beignets at Cafe DuMonde. I fear now that all this may only remain a distance memory after Katrina hits, burying this jewel of a historic city under 28 feet of water. Realizing that mass desvastation and death are emminent, I send my prayers to New Orleans and all the people of the region. I'm afraid the long term consequences of this disaster is going to affect all of us. - Scott

Our prayers are with all our brothers and sisters in Louisiana...
t.

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 08-29-2005).]

Prayers DO WORK.....keep praying long and hard....the storm is at it's worse at this time but the disaster will continue in the storms aftermath....I pray that all escape
harm from this storm...

It looks as if New Orleans got somewhat lucky as the hurricane moved slightly to the East. Bad news for Mississippi, but it will probably mean New Orleans has been spared the very worst.
DonM

I hope everyone is alright down there and that many have made it to a safe place. When I last saw the news I know that here in West Virginia they're concerned at the moment because we're expected to get a good deal of rain from this. Last numbers I saw projected the possibility of 4-6 inches right over my area (YIKES!). I'll be buying a gas powered generator this evening to play it safe. If my power goes out and my sump pump (which is electric) isn't running, then that could mean bad news for my home.

Squeak

If you ever buy a generator, most people think a little generator will power their house and it won't. It would probably power a sump pump, but be aware. Also, don't run the generator inside your house, else, you might wake up dead. Carbon monoxide.


------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

I have 5500 watt generator that powers my well pump, heat/boiler, refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, coffee pot, and lighting all at the same time in a 2400 sq ft home. I paid $475 at BJ's for it.

The best investment I ever made (other than my keyboards that is).

Al

Yep, 5500 watts is usually a big enough one to do lights, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, well, etc. A/C, no. Electric stove, no.


------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

My wife teases me about that... I say "wake up dead " all the time. I musta went to the Yogi Berra school of English Language.


On a serious note.. Carbon Monoxide is nothing to fool with. I have detectors in my home. Unfortunately, one of my doctors apparently didn't. He, his wife, and a house guest all perished from CO poisoning recently. Scary stuff...

AJ

Don't worry I know all the dangers of using generators. To be honest I can't even imagine how and why someone with minimal common sense would run a gas powered generator (in their home). It's like letting a push mower run in your home. People don't realize that these things use 3.5 hp gas motors.

I plan on buying one that at least has the watt capacity of the one kbrkr has. Plus I have a nice little place for it on my carport (outide)

My main concern is the refrigerator, simple lighting, sump pump (only 1/2 hp), and use of the microwave

Squeak

Aren't you forgetting something? (keyboard)
Starkeeper

Starkeeper,
When the storms arrive, I'll be shutting down my keyboard, and both computers, as well as unplugging them ALL from the wall Can't take any chances there.

It's been a while since we last spoke, how's the PSR-550 going for you, or have you changed models? I have two keyboard purchases coming up very soon. One will be the new Casio WK-3700, and the other will be a good upper end arranger. Have a few in mind, Tyros, Korg PA series, and so on.

Squeak

Hello.............I speak from last years Hurricane Charley. After the electricity was restored there were NUMEROUS electrical disturbances as the power company restored the whole area. This lasted for several months. My backup UPS also supplies a regulated, filtered power supply. I can't say enough on how important this is to sensitive electronics.

It's also hard to imagine how many well intentioned folks hooked up their generators to their main circuit panel but DID NOT turn off the main breaker. They sent current out of their homes to unsuspecting places. This can be dangerous. More people here were killed after the storm during the cleanup, than during the storm itself. Please be smart!! -charley

Oh yea, I forgot Computer+internet and keyboards.

Thanks for reminding me Starkeeper ;-)

Al

I've been without internet service for the past two days as a result of the storm. Thank God that's the only effect we've had from it, another than a vast influx of refugees.
As far as New Orleans proper, I think the worst may STILL be yet to come.
DonM

Donny...We will continue to keep all of you folks in the storm area in out thoughs and prayers....keep the faith....
Tony Rome

I’m having 10 family members up from N.O. My mother, two sister’s, and their families etc. They are leaving their motels for my place today. Some are in North La. one in Arkansas and the other in Oklahoma. One sister had to leave their van that brok down in La. They rented a car and made it to Oklahoma for a motel. They left before the hurricane hit.
My brother is a fireman. I told him to stay away from there. He was on vacation as the storm hit and is supposed to return to work today Friday. They are shooting at fireman trying to help people. A very large shopping center in their area caught fire and the fireman had to abandon the fight being shot at.
My wife, Penny's sister died during hurricane but not related to the hurricane. She had brain surgery just after the hurricane passed and died during the night. She had a blood clot on the brain and had been falling down recently. A couple of trees fell on her house and car and completely destroyed them.
My mother in law was sitting in the room where the tree fell in through the roof. Other then stress and having to make cremation arrangements, it looks like she will be OK. Penny's other sister in Hattiesburg where this all took place is there to help with my mother in law and salvage property. This is in Hattiesburg where the eye of the hurricane passed. Penny’s other sister’s home is OK.
My family will need jobs and help from FEMA when they get here. Yesterday they signed up for unemployment the ones who are eligible.
Friday evening my brother the fireman made it to Algiers the Westbank part of New Orleans Parish He looked at all the family members homes and said all were missing shingles but for the most part in tack. He lost some roof vents and his patio. He said the area which gets a foot of water in heavy rains for the most part was dry but trees were down everywhere.
I'm glad I now have this brick job that I was hating up until this hurricane thing happened.
We have one 15 year old that will need to register for school. My neice has an 18 month baby.
Even without the flood waters in the area my brother thinks it will be months of fallen tree removal not to mention electric and sewerage problems that need attention.
You know me I'm for shooting looters that are stealing guns and ammo. I would help people getting food.
A group had a postal truck loaded with guns and ammo on the Westbank. One policeman and one fireman were shot.
Boo

I can't begin to imagine what you people in the storm area are going through....
My prayers are with all of you.
John

I can't even begin to imagine either John....

My thoughts and best wishes to you Boo, your family, and all of those who are suffering in the wake of this disaster.

AJ

Boo,

Glad your family is OK and hope you and Penny can cope with the horrendous work load you both will have to endure during the ensuing months.

Good Luck,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Hang in there Boo. If you need anything, let us know.
Here is a post from LSU football information director in Baton Rouge.
DonM

From: Carter Rogers
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2005 12:13 PM
I thought you might want a first hand account of some of this tragedy.
Subject: A post from the LSU Sports Information Director
For those who don't know, "the PMAC" mentioned in the following post is the LSU basketball arena, across the street from Tiger Stadium. Lots of prayers and help needed now.

William Martin wrote:

From: "William Martin"
To: "Bill Martin"
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 02:51:35 -0600
Subject: The PMAC will never host an important event like it did tonight

Little did I know what I would be doing following Hurricane Katrina's aftermath but as I type right now, there won't be a more gratifying or more surreal experience I went through tonight. We went up to the office today and held a press conference regarding the postponement of the game and it was the right decision. As the PMAC and Field House are being used as shelters we decided as an office to do everything we could to help the situation.

At first, we were just supposed to make copies of this disaster relief form for all of the people. The copiers will never print a document more important than that. It's weird. Nearly 12 hours ago we were running off copies of game notes for a football game that is now meaningless. We printed the copies and carried them over to the Field House at 6:30 p.m. I wouldn't leave the area for another 8 hours.

On the way back to the PMAC in a cart, it looked like the scene in the movie Outbreak. FEMA officials, U.S. Marshal’s, National Guard, and of course the survivors. Black Hawks were carrying in victims who were stranded on roofs. Buses rolled in from N.O. with other survivors. As Michael and I rode back to the PMAC, a lady fell out of her wheelchair and we scrambled to help her up.

We met Coach Miles and Coach Moffiit in the PMAC to see all the survivors and it was the view of a hospital. Stretchers rolled in constantly and for the first time in my life I saw someone die right in front of me. A man rolled in from New Orleans and was badly injured on his head. 5 minutes later he was dead. And that was the scene all night. What did we do, we started hauling in supplies. And thousands of boxes of supplies. The CDC from Atlanta arrived directing us what to do.

One of the U.S. Marshals was on hand so the supplies could not become loot. I asked him what his primary job was. He serves on the committee of counter terrorism, but once he saw of the disaster, he donated his forces to come help. He said the death toll could be nearing 10,000. It was sickening to hear that.

After unloading supplies, I started putting together baby cribs and then IV poles. Several of our fball players and Big Baby and Tasmin Mitchell helped us. At the same time, families and people strolled in. Mothers were giving birth in the locker rooms. The auxiliary gym "Dungeon" was being used as a morgue. I couldn't take myself down there to see it.

I worked from 8 pm until 2:45 am. Before I left three more buses rolled in and they were almost out of room. People were standing outside, the lowest of the low from NO. The smells, the sights were hard to take.

A man lying down on a cot asked me to come see him. He said, "I just need someone to talk to, to tell my story because I have nobody and nothing left. He turned out to be a retired military veteran. His story was what everybody was saying. He thought he survived the worst, woke up this morning and the levees broke. Within minutes water rushed into his house. He climbed to the attic, smashed his way through the roof and sat there for hours. He was completely sunburned and exhausted. Nearly 12 hours later a chopper rescued him and here he was.

We finished the night hauling boxes of body bags and more were on the way. As we left, a man was strolled in on a stretcher and scarily enough he suffered gunshots. The paramedic said he was shot several times because a looter or a convict needed his boat and he wouldn't give it to him. Another man with him said it was "an uncivilized society no better than Iraq down there right now." A few minutes later he was unconscious and later pronounced dead. I then left as they were strolling a 3 year old kid in on a stretcher. I couldn't take it anymore.

That was the scene at the PMAC and it gives me a new perspective on things. For those of you who I haven't been able to get in touch with because of phone service, I pray you are safe. Send me an email to let me know. God bless.

Bill Martin
LSU Sports Information