Gustav

[sio2]

Word is its going to be a catagory 4 or 5 storm as it makes landfall.

Category Five Hurricane: Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.

Katrina was a Cat 5 over the Gulf but only a Cat 3 when it hit. It caused over 85 Billion $ in damage, 350,000 homes were desryed in New Orleans and over 1,000,000 lost thier homes.

This is what a cat 5 storm looks like.



The problem is that the storm is moving very slowly. It doesnt look like landfall will happen until Mon night, Tuesday. Mandatory Evacuation of the entire city of New Orleans will happen soon. This really pisses me off. I can't leave, I'm supposed to me moving into a new apt this weekend. I've also just started a new job.

I also know of alot of people that can't afford to leave. They have no $ to use to go anywhere and have no $$ to get back.



I read somewhere that in the 70s there were only 8-10 storms per year and now its 2008 where there are an average 18 storms per year.

[nousd]

Tragic bud. Go well.

[bellybelle]

I'll be watching the weather channel and nhc.noaa.gov and send my most positive thoughts and energy to the people of New Orleans and LA gulf coast.

[wooda916]

sio, get the fuck out of ther! ur job n shit can wait!

[sio2]

Check my storm gear. Hat and beads are very important.



On a serious note, I took this yesterday, business' here in the 1/4 are covering the windows...

[sio2]

sio, get the fuck out of ther! ur job n shit can wait!

I'm gonna stay and document everything for all of you. If the storm hits us, it will be history in the making. I want to be @ ground zero. Stay tuned as I am sure things will be spiraling out of control soon. I wasnt kidding when i siad I was going to do the undercover french quarter ninja.

If I have to loot the local shop for food I won't hesitate. No doubt there will be others worse off than me tho' I am sure I will end up helping take care of someone else.... if the storm hits...

I ran into this guy the other day. He walks around all day with a bottle on his head, then charges tourists a couple dollars for the right to take his picture. I say he is a genious.



Si = Silicon, O2 = Oxygen, together the computer revolution was made poss.

[bellybelle]

sio, get the fuck out of ther! ur job n shit can wait!

I'm gonna stay and document everything for all of you. If the storm hits us, it will be history in the making. I want to be @ ground zero. Stay tuned as I am sure things will be spiraling out of control soon. I wasnt kidding when i siad I was going to do the undercover french quarter ninja.

If I have to loot the local shop for food I won't hesitate. No doubt there will be others worse off than me tho' I am sure I will end up helping take care of someone else.... if the storm hits...

I ran into this guy the other day. He walks around all day with a bottle on his head, then charges tourists a couple dollars for the right to take his picture. I say he is a genious.



Si = Silicon, O2 = Oxygen, together the computer revolution was made poss.

The storm seasons have been kicking up since around 2000. Every year, the storm forecasters and the people Colo. State U put out a prediction of the upcoming season. Its been predicted to be above average for the last almost decade. In 2005, we had a record season of 28 named storms for the Atlantic season--meaning they had to go into the Greek Alphabet for names. This is an upswing that we've been experiencing for a minute.

And as bad as things have been for us here in the US (Lord knows there are still people who haven't recovered from Charley in 2005 that made landfall 2 hours south of me as a Category 4); the Carribean gets rocked well hard every time. Jamaica and the Caymans get hit hard every elevated season. Cuba sees more cyclonic action every year. Mudslides and flash flooding taking homes and lives--there was loss of life attributed to Fay in Haiti and that never even strengthened to a hurricane.

This is a dangerous season and we've been blessed here in Tampa to not have a direct hit in over 40 years. Miami has been rather fortunate as of late as well, not getting too much action. Hopefully the US was embarrassed enough by the Katrina reaction to make FEMA do their job but if FEMAs handling of the flooding in the Midwest was any indication, I'd say don't count on it.

Best thing to do is take cover and protect yourself. Get things you need. Make sure your batteries work. Make sure you have your important paperwork in plastic ziplocks. Get enough food and water to be able to last for a week without electricity. Fill your bathtubs and sinks with water. And flee to a shelter if you need it. No need to be stubborn. This is your life you're talking about.

[sio2]

I'll be shopping for food and water today.

Check out the latest projections...



I've heard that Gas has gone up almost 50 cents a gallon in the past few days.. Also all the jails and prisons are moving the inmates out of town ! The lower parishes are already evacuating. The radio says traffic is gridlocked on all highways around us. Contra Flow will probably starts tomorrow ? Maybe Sat. Mandatory Evac will probably happen tomorrow. City busses and street cars are stopping today. Colleges and schools are also closed.

[oddfellow]

Werent peeps getting shot for looting last time? Thats fucking outrageous imo. You can argue for the right of private property but in a situation like that people are just trying to survive.

[bellybelle]

Here's NOAA's maps..

Overall Atlantic:


Gustav:


The thing that scares me about Gustav is the mb. The barometric pressure has been around 986-992, which is loooooooow. Even for a TS, thats a strong storm. Like, Fay strengthened over land when it had a low barometric pressure. Thats a sign of strengthening.

What I'm hoping for NO is that the area of high pressure keeps moving the storm nw over the weekend. However, as much as that's gonna be awesome for you, anywhere a Category 4 storm hits is going to be devastated. So as much as you want to celebrate....its only bittersweet when you realize that by averting danger for yourself, its only been guaranteed for someone else.

Be easy and SAFE, Sio!

[sio2]

Werent peeps getting shot for looting last time? Thats fucking outrageous imo. You can argue for the right of private property but in a situation like that people are just trying to survive.

Its called the Battle of New Orleans : Sept 2005 :

The police are also taking peoples guns so you can't even defend yourself.

[oddfellow]

Werent peeps getting shot for looting last time? Thats fucking outrageous imo. You can argue for the right of private property but in a situation like that people are just trying to survive.

Its called the Battle of New Orleans : Sept 2005 :

The police are also taking peoples guns so you can't even defend yourself.

My own opinion is that if the state has guns then so should the population. I assume they are taking them away to stop the looting? Also, is the general population a lot more prepared for it now if the hurricaine does hit?

[sio2]

Werent peeps getting shot for looting last time? Thats fucking outrageous imo. You can argue for the right of private property but in a situation like that people are just trying to survive.

Its called the Battle of New Orleans : Sept 2005 :

The police are also taking peoples guns so you can't even defend yourself.

My own opinion is that if the state has guns then so should the population. I assume they are taking them away to stop the looting? Also, is the general population a lot more prepared for it now if the hurricaine does hit?

Yah, I think the cops are thinking safety for taking peoples guns.

There is about half the population here now, so there will be less hassle this time. People are more prepared. Agian, its the poor who will suffer the most not having the education or the means to get out... and yes, the city and the feds are not playing around this time. FEMA and the Dept of Homeland Security top dogs are in town. I've walked aorund and people are obviously nervous about it. This is labor day weekend and there should be thousands of tourists walking the streets... it aint happening tho' the streets are pretty much empty 'cept the delivery trucks. Alot of business' are closed. *whew* the heat ot there is brutal. Humidity is @ 95 %

@ Belle, yes, I am very worried about that too. All signs are pointing to us being hit by a cat. 4 maybe even cat. 5 storm.

If the storm hits just to the west of Nola, we will be on the worst side of it and there's a big poss, that there will be major flooding agian.

We will know alot more in a couple days. Untill then all i can do is prepare.

[wooda916]

Werent peeps getting shot for looting last time? Thats fucking outrageous imo. You can argue for the right of private property but in a situation like that people are just trying to survive.

Its called the Battle of New Orleans : Sept 2005 :

The police are also taking peoples guns so you can't even defend yourself.

My own opinion is that if the state has guns then so should the population. I assume they are taking them away to stop the looting? Also, is the general population a lot more prepared for it now if the hurricaine does hit?

Yah, I think the cops are thinking safety for taking peoples guns.

There is about half the population here now, so there will be less hassle this time. People are more prepared. Agian, its the poor who will suffer the most not having the education or the means to get out... and yes, the city and the feds are not playing around this time. FEMA and the Dept of Homeland Security top dogs are in town. I've walked aorund and people are obviously nervous about it. This is labor day weekend and there should be thousands of tourists walking the streets... it aint happening tho' the streets are pretty much empty 'cept the delivery trucks. Alot of business' are closed. *whew* the heat ot there is brutal. Humidity is @ 95 %

@ Belle, yes, I am very worried about that too. All signs are pointing to us being hit by a cat. 4 maybe even cat. 5 storm.

If the storm hits just to the west of Nola, we will be on the worst side of it and there's a big poss, that there will be major flooding agian.

We will know alot more in a couple days. Untill then all i can do is prepare.

mate, id be bricking it...

[nousd]

Earlier:

I'd rather head to Galveston than Panama City according to this.

I'd be wrong then
altho, stupidly, I was thinking about surf!

city of persistance
currently resistance,
soon repaired
is that prepared.
Nue Orlyens!
soon it ends.

[sio2]

Saturday Aug 30th 8 am.

Mandatory evacuation will be called @ 4 am tomorrow. Right now the streets of the French Quarter are deserted.

I plan to stay with some friends down the street and will post updates here as long as poss. After the storm, i'll come with pictures and coverage of any destruction.

Thousands of troops are about to spread out across the city. Right now there is an eerie calm but people are obviously worried... We'll see what happens sunday, but I am not going to leave. I will not be forced to leave my city. The coffee shop down the street didnt open and there was a big stack of todays papers out front. I grabbed a paper without paying for it, so that makes me a looter ! I've already done my first looting of the storm.

Fuck the storm !!

*waves*

I took this pic about 15 min ago in front of my abode, i dont think this guy is worried about the evacuation.

[sio2]

This was passed out to homeless people across the city... the shit is about to hit the fan folks... stay tuned for carnage and destruction...



IF I can avoid being arrested, I'll post more updates tomorrow..

[djshiva]

shiiiiit...this is nuts. i am glad that they are taking it more seriously this time, but damn i don't wanna see nola under water again.

now if only they would take rebuilding nola as seriously as they are evacuating it this time.

sio2, good luck to ya. batten down the hatches and keep safe. we appreciate having a voice to tell us what's going on down there, just don't risk yer ass for it, k?

[bellybelle]

Please evacuate!!!!! Take real cover!!!!

954 mb..... a 3 and it hasn't even crossed Cuba yet and its not projected to pass over much land.

Just protect yourself please. We all know what the Gulf does to Cat 3's. Take cover and be safe. You can always report when its over, provided you find a genny and line. And I'm sure we'd rather hear you were safe too.


Be careful.


As an aside.....people, I'd suggest gassin up your cars if you have them. Too many oil refineries are in direct line of sight of this storm for me to be easy with that. My gas just came down by $0.50 and I'm kinda enjoyin that. But this....er....

[bellybelle]

Again......why I hate this season...