To keep up with the latest coordinates every few hours on Gustav and the continually changing projections for where it’s actually going to go – click here. This is the National Hurricane Center’s website page that is tracking Gustav.
Just about all that is on our local (New Orleans) television stations now is weather information, evacuation information for all of the coastal parishes in Louisiana and New Orleans and information about evacuation routes through Louisiana and Mississippi going outward from New Orleans.
Tom and I have been making preparations to try to be ready for whatever happens. Right now, we’re in a state of uncertainty about what all we will be doing. Gustav is looking right now as if it is going to become a big, strong hurricane on the level strength-wise as Katrina. God forbid.
It has slowed down, so we are going to have to wait until sometime late Saturday or early Sunday until we decide for sure if I am going to evacuate north to Jackson. Right now, they are projecting that it will come ashore a little bit west and south below New Orleans and track up through central Louisiana. If that stays the case, I will most likely stay in Picayune, either with Tom at his office at the newspaper or with my son Mark and his family.
No matter where Gustav comes, I will not stay here at the house. Tom will have to be at the newspaper and we don’t want me to be stuck out here in the country alone with no electricity and trees down between here and town (and Interstate 59). So, I will either go stay in town or go up to Jackson. I pray Gustav goes further west so I can stay in Picayune. Katrina is too much on my mine.
Which reminds me – today is the third anniversary of Katrina.
For those of you who may think all must be well down here now after three years, here is a sobering thought. The city of New Orleans held services this morning remembering Katrina and those who were lost. Including, just today, the burial of 80 bodies of people who were still in the morgue, never identified or claimed.
On top of everything else, there is yet another big tropical storm in the south Atlantic (Tropical Storm Hanna – click here to track it) that they think may track westward, turning into a hurricane and crossing the Florida Keys into the gulf next week.
I will keep you posted up until the time we leave the house and after that as I can. If worse comes to worse, as it did in Katrina, I will probably evacuate from Jackson after the hurricane (and before the next) and drive on out to Texas to either Dallas (where my daughter and step-daughter both live) and/or on to Abilene to my mom’s. But, those plans would be a last resort because it’s 500 miles to Dallas and 750 miles to Abilene from here, and I’m not too much on driving long distances, much less alone.
Please pray for everyone in the path of these hurricanes and pray they won’t be bad.
Cheers & Blessings to you all today!
Dee
Having worked with the Carrolton Church of Christ in N.O. and having my son and his friend go back for another round of “Katrina Relief,” I can verify that what you say about N.O. 3 years after Katrina is true. Still praying for Gustav to go away.
Be careful ,
and y’all are in my thoughts and prayers down there!
huggs
Dee, God speed. You are on my mind all the time and in my prayers several times a day….you and everyone else in the path of this monster. I am praying that God will intervene and turn the thing around altogether. But, as I’ve seen it written, sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes He lets it rage and calms His child. Either way, I’m praying for you. Hang in there. You are loved.
Dee, just be safe. We are waiting to hear from my brother as to our plans for this weekend. I would love to see my Dad but am really leaning towards staying here this weekend, so as not to get into any evacuations that may happen involving Houston and Galveston (we know that hurricanes can and do change directions.) We may try to convince Dad to come out and see us I will be checking in with you, blog when you can! Much love!
Be careful whatever you do. I’ll be praying for your (and your family’s) safety, and for everyone else down that way.
At least you are wise enough to have plans! When we lived in Florida (lived there twice in my life), it was amazing how many people were just going to “ride it out” no matter the ferocity of the storm. As for Picayune, Mississippi, though, that’s the price you pay for living in such a resort area, and a small price I might add considering all the local hot spots.
Dee
praying for all of you….
blessings
hugs
donna
We certainly don’t want it coming in west of you, as that would be toward us in Southeast Texas! So…like you, we are watching and waiting. Right now we are in Abilene visiting dear friends and will leave probably Sunday afternoon to get back home and prepare to evacuate on Monday…..if need be. If Gustav does go into your area, we will probably not have to leave. So even though I don’t want you to have a visit from Gustav, neither do I want to have a visit from him. God bless and we will just wait and watch.
Dee, we have been praying for you. I can’t help but think that the devil is sending these storms for a variety of reasons (as he sent them against Job’s children, Jesus and his disciples — twice! Baal was known as the storm god and I wonder if he is wanting more destruction, more pain.
I encourage all to pray against the storm.
My brother called last night and said he was sending Dad to us. They plan to call for evacuation of people with special medical needs today and then general evacuations on Sunday. So our trip is off and Dad is on his way here. Hope you are well.
Praying hard for you guys…
Praying for you, your family and all of those in the path of Gustav. May you all be spared the destruction brought on by Katrina, and may you remain safely out of the path. Blessings~
I’m a little stunned by Gustuv becoming what he is. I’ll be praying for you and your family…. Blessings……
Praying for you and all the folks in the path of Hurricane Gustav.
Blessings,
-bill