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.


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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.


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Bill
Yamaha PSR2000