PEOPLE IN GUSTAV'S PATH, CHECK IN HERE.

[Raven]

What are you thinking and doing to prepare?

Where will you go if you have to leave?

What can we at DU do to help?

[Aqaba]

1. If you are in the path...

...you should be evacuating now.

[Courtesy Flush]

11. It's still a little early

According to the rock-steady predictions of the last few days, we're due for a direct hit. I'm in New Iberia. To find my town, look at the current storm path and follow it to about the 6 AM Tuesday mark.

We're making preparations, sure, but we still have plenty of time. If the projections change, we may not evacuate at all. It's still too uncertain.

BUT, if we lived in a large city, and were expecting a direct hit, it would definitely be time to leave. It takes a long time to evacuate that many people.

(As I was typing this, my wife came in the room and told me the storm is already a cat-4. Yikes. Now it's urgent!)

[merh]

53. take good care

be safe and check in when you can.

I've got my plans made and am on stand by, if I have to leave, I will.

[politicasista]

76. Stay safe, merh

:grouphug: :hi:

[Booster]

73. Take your pets with you, please, please.

[MercutioATC]

2. Gee, an "Emergency Preparedness" forum at DU would be nice right about now...

[HCE SuiGeneris]

25. !

Apparently, statements like this just slip into the netherworld...

Right up there with fixing electronic voting machines. :sigh:

[intheflow]

27. I love that you're so persistent on this idea, Merc.

I don't understand it, either. :shrug:

[Lisa0825]

30. Did anyone ever post a request for a group and ask for it?

All I ever see is posts like these, but I haven't seen an actual group proposal, so I was just wondering.

[faithfulcitizen]

3. We have a condo in Gulf Shores, AL Our contacts down there say it's business as usual right now.

But we are watching very closely as we have renters in our unit.

[trof]

7. I'm 15 miles away, in Foley.

Looks OK, so far.
Current track projection takes it into Lafayette, LA.

[faithfulcitizen]

9. Hey neighbor! How are people acting in Foley, stocking up? Lowes & Home Depot busy yet?

[trof]

57. Haven't been to either. Not stocking up.

We live on Wolf Bay and kinda keep stuff on hand we might need if we lose power or need to leave.
Went to a campaign victory fish fry this afternoon.
Our candidate won her first term on Foley city council.
Beat the 3 term incumbent 180 - 111.
Gustav didn't even come up.

[misanthrope]

50. We're in Mobile and not doing anything...

...I think the worst we'll get is some blustery weather and a bit of tropical depression strength wind. The tracks a couple of days ago were a different story, but it looks like we're gong to be OK this time.

Right now, I'm keeping my eye trained on Hanna. And there's plenty more where she came from...

[trof]

60. Got several cousins in and around Mobile.

Don't think anybody's too worried about it, yet.
Looks like it's drawn a bead on the LA cost southwest of Houma.
Then follow the irregular coastline northwest to Lafayette area.

[rsmith6621]

4. FEEDER BANDS ARE REACHING ORLANDO

......Had nice thunder storms and heavy rain this morning from the outer bands from the storm....reckon we will have more as it moves north.....


....Pray that FEMA get this right this time..

[kestrel91316]

14. Of course they will. They want Jindal and McSame to look good.

[Lorien]

21. Yep. Drove a friend to the airport a little while ago. White out conditions

My neighbor is the News director of the local PBS station, and she says that there's some potential for heavy flooding around Central Florida if we get much more dumped on us, especially around the St. John's river.

[Jeanette in FL]

51. Same here in North Florida

I live between St. Augustine and Gainesville and we have had the feeder bands all the way up here. If I hadn't watched the local news this morning, I never would have known that they were going to be all the way up here.

Some have been quite heavy with thunderstorms as well.

My prayers for everyone that is dealing with this one.

Anyone hear from Malaise? She is in Jamaica.

[Selatius]

5. Most of my stuff is off the coast. I came to visit friends and family.

That said, I'll decide what to do tomorrow or tonight in terms of leaving or staying. I live on the Mississippi coast just east of Biloxi, but I honestly think this thing has Louisiana's name all over it. If it were heading for the Louisiana-Mississippi border, I'd be long gone, but the models don't predict it will hit there. That's where Katrina hit, though.

[celestia671]

6. Pray

I live in Central La. and people here are buying up water, batteries, gas, all of that. N.O is evacuating. I work at a correctional facility and we're taking on about 300 extra inmates from the lower parishes.

I hope it doesn't do what Katrina did to N.O.

[flvegan]

8. We're getting outer bands in Tampa very shortly.

Everyone stay safe. We still don't REALLY know where Gustav is going.

[AnnInLa]

10. Well, I guess that's me

Thank you for your OP. There is nothing to do for us, but hope for the best....There was a discussion on the Kos site this morning about Gustav, and the following is what I posted (am too tired to post another original one, so please excuse me.)



Let me tell you about my morning so far



I'm located 12 miles north of the Vermilion Bay on the central Louisiana coast. Hurricane Rita destroyed the southern portion of my Parish (Vermilion Parish.) It took the houses, all buildings, the bridges, and very importantly, the marsh that acted as a barrier between the bay and the town of Abbeville (population 12,000) where I live. Needless to say, Rita destroyed the houses and businesses of many of my friends and co-workers. Abbeville had taken in many Katrina evacuees, but they and our local residents had to evacuate only 2.5 weeks after Katrina. My house is in the center of the town, on a slight rise, so wasn't flooded or damaged, thank goodness.

From looking at the WeatherUnderground site now, Gustav will probably come directly up the Vermilion Bay...which will act as a funnel for wind and water. Abbeville may cease to be. I am hoping for a jog away from Vermilion Bay....but that implies that I hope other people/places will be put in harm's way instead of Abbeville. Quite a conundrum. I am numb and jittery all at the same time.

I thought I had longer to prepare my house and get the hell out of Dodge, but woke up this morning to the news that everyone south of state HWY 14 had to evacuate by 4:00 pm this afternoon. So, running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Take everything off the walls that could fall in 150+ winds shaking the house. But, pick up everything that's on the floor that would get water damage when the flood waters rush thru. Well, were do you put all that stuff in the middle of the floor and ceiling??? What to take in the car? What things can I NOT live without if my house is totally destroyed? Clothes? Pictures? My computer? And, why am I washing all the dirty clothes, dishes, sweeping and mopping? Am I preparing to welcome the hurricane? Just nerves, nerves, nerves.

My youngest son lives in a travel trailer here in Abbeville. He is refusing to leave with us because he doesn't like my family in Shreveport, where we will be going. Well, that's great. He's going to stay in a travel trailer and die. I'm just numb with that information. There won't even be any shelters open here, because they want everyone to leave.

My feet hurt from rushing around, and my head hurts from trying to think of everything...have I gathered enough water? Where in the hell are the extra flashlights and candles? Will my generator work after we return? Will my house be robbed tonight when it is obviously empty? There was no ply-wood left when I went to buy some yesterday, so will my storm-windows be strong enough? That big old tree over my house has provided plenty of nice shade, but will it now provide a big hole in my roof? Jeez Louise.

Don't know why I am writing all of this....people keep phoning me to ask when we are leaving, but I am too nervous to talk to them much....typing this seems to calm me...so sorry for all this "whining," must be a Dem Thing. To others on the Gulf Coast...take care, and maybe this thing will fizzle out, and we can wait for Hannah and the others lined up behind her. Thanks millwx for all the info, and keep us posted if you can.

[Raven]

13. Oh Ann! All good thoughts and prayers your way. Try to stay in touch

if you can.

[shraby]

15. Anna, get your shit in one sack..remember

one thing at a time..pack up your necessaries, any valuables and keepsakes, then worry about what has to stay, try to get that out of the way then head out..put the rest out of your mind. Convince your son to leave the area even if he has to take a tent to stay in, tell him how important he is to you and hope he listens. Beyond that, if he's an adult there is little you can do. Keep safe, y'hear?

[MissDeeds]

19. I got chills reading your post, Ann

Is sounds like you are in emergency mode there. I live in KS - tornado alley - and know how devastating nature can be. Please try to urge your son to go somewhere safe. Aren't there any friends or other relatives he could stay with out of harm's way? He really needs to get his butt in gear, not only to make sure he's safe, but to ease your mind.

Try to keep us updated as you can. Will keep you and others in the path of Gustav in my thoughts.

:scared: :grouphug:

[tpsbmam]

40. Damn......

Ann, we'll be thinking about you and all in Gustav's path. This SUCKS! And it truly sucks that your son is choosing to stay put. I pray for all of you (and all down there) to be safe and your homes to be minimally affected. I hate this!!!

[SidDithers]

44. Kick for this post...

Ann, you make sure you check in after the storm to let us know you're OK.

Sid

[merh]

47. take good care Anna

If it helps in any way, please know that you wrote exactly what I am feeling - I'm on the MS Gulf Coast and though it looks like it won't "hit" here, we are still preparing. And I have the knot in my belly because I'm wishing it doesn't come here and goes some place else which could well mean to you. Forgive me, please.

I've been in this house less than a year, Katrina took all I had and left me a slab. 25 months in the femansion travel trailer having taken its toll on my psyche, I am just now giving myself time to heal and find calm. Now this.

I walk around the house wondering what should I do, what do I worry about and feeling that tug to just stay, I don't want to leave, I just got here.

My prayers are with you all and all others in the "cone of probablity" - take good care and stay safe.

:hug:

:grouphug:

[salin]

75. Be safe -

prayers to you, your family, your community, and all in the path of this storm. *cry*

[remember2000forever]

12. Anyone From Key West???

My sister-in-law is there and phones are jammed.

[Kajsa]

37. Try to text her.

After our last little quake, ALL the phone lines here
were jammed, especially cell phones.

The local news stations urged us to use texting
next time- it doesn't jam the signals as much.

I hope for the best for your sister-in-law.

[cwydro]

67. I'm in Key West

We've been getting spanked all day.

But nothing we haven't see before. Tropical storm warnings and they are telling everyone to stay inside. Airport is still open.

They have opened one shelter.

If I can relay a message for you, feel free to pm me. So far we have not lost power.

[lovuian]

16. In Houston and watching this thing like a hawk

People here are stocking up here with water
I think the people in Galveston are leaving the highways are crowded but moving
I evacuated with Rita and it was horrible

I'm not on the coast but I'm close to it

[Nikki Stone1]

17. Raven, maybe you can get Skinner to pin this to the top of the board

If the storm is as bad as it looks, we'll probably need several of these.

[Raven]

18. I'll do that. Thanks.

[Nikki Stone1]

20. It's gonna be a long weekend.

:sigh:

[a la izquierda]

22. Good luck, everyone and be safe.

I have family in Ocean Springs, MS. I haven't heard from them in about a week, as I'm sure they're getting ready to go. They left before Katrina and came back, luckily, to a home mostly in one piece. I am very worried, though.

[Lorien]

23. If you have pets and plan to evacuate, look for La Quinta inns

They accept pets and don't charge more for multiple animals. I evacuated to Ohio for a month in 2004 when my area was pounded with four hurricanes. I found a number of pet friendly hotels for the journey, but La Quinta was the best. Their rooms are very spacious and clean, and they didn't raise an eyebrow when I walked in with three cat carriers. Puck escaped in the morning and the maids helped me to catch her. Puck also went for walks on her leash through the hotel and into the lobby, and no one seemed to have a problem with it. I met another woman with several large dogs there and she said that it was the only affordable chain that she could find that would accept ALL her animals in the room.

[intheflow]

32. Most Motel 6's take pets, too.

And some Residence Inns, for those of you who can afford Marriott properties.

[tpsbmam]

49. Best Western, Holiday Inn.....

I know I've stayed at both with my dogs. I think they do charge a small amount, though -- if I recall, it was something like $25 per dogs (total, not $25 per night).

[Catherine Vincent]

24. Thinking of some of the people in New Orleans, what about the ones

that would like to leave but don't really have any money to do so. If they pile up in someone else's car or bus, where do they go? Will there be enough shelters? I've been reading the Houston chronicle comments on any Gustav news all week and it really upsets me that the majority of the comments say things like "Don't come to Houston" blah blah blah.

[EFerrari]

26. Maybe check in with churches in the town you go to?

And don't listen to freepers. They'd watch their own mother go without.

[bobbolink]

56. well, it USED to be that churches would take people in....

now they contract out for such stuff.

Outsourcing at it's finest.

:P

[Nikki Stone1]

29. This site had a message board during Katrina

http://www.wwltv.com/

Let me see what I can dig up.

[Nikki Stone1]

34. Here's a blog on WWLTV

http://www.beloblog.com/WWLTV_Blogs/weather/

[Nikki Stone1]

35. Here's a blog on WWLTV

http://www.beloblog.com/WWLTV_Blogs/weather/

[MiniMe]

38. They have planned for that. They are already busing people out

I heard that they plan to order a mandatory evacuation tomorrow. After Katrina, they would be fools not to have planned for that.

[lonestarnot]

42. They are not evacuating hospitals, but are evacuating nursing homes under mandatory evac.

Why not hospitals?

[readmoreoften]

46. New Orleans-ers are welcome to come to Austin, Texas. They are an asset to our city.

We've been getting so many relocators from LA and NYC who yuppify the culture. The New Orleans folks who came from Katrina have brought in new Cajun food restaurants, cooks, decor, and culture. I wouldn't mind a 'little new orleans' rebuilt on the East Side.

We're already 'the melting pot' of the South in many ways.

[Lisa0825]

28. I'm just north of Galveston, and playing wait 'n see.

We're within "the cone" here, and I am in a flood surge zone. If it gets shifted west, I may have to evacuate. If not, I will ride it out, with likely tropical storm effects out this way.

I really don't want to evacuate... I have former feral foster kitties who would be very traumatized if I have to grab them and get them in a crate (Believe me, it would be a major battle to do so!). So I am keeping my fingers crossed that I won't have to, while still being very concerned about whoever ends up in the direct path.

:grouphug:

[LivinginLA]

31. Northshore of Lake Ponchartrain

Hubby is essential personnel with the Parish so we stay put and wait. All stocked up with canned goods, water, and extra insulin for my diabetic daughter. Grandmas are safely in Indiana. Middle daughter is coming home from work to fill sandbags with her ROTC unit. I hate the waiting.......

[EFerrari]

36. Welcome and be safe, LivinginLA.

You have the opposite of what we have here with our earthquakes. You wait for it to start and we never know when it's over. Take good care.

[LivinginLA]

43. Thank you.

I was last in an earthquake in Seattle in February 2001, but live in Los Angeles for the Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1972. I prefer hurricanes, at least we have time of get ready!

[Errrica]

33. Gah!

This is so scary! I can't believe it's a Cat-4 now, wow. Just yesterday it was a Cat-1. We're feeling feeder bands in Tampa right now. It's storming at my house. I'm heading out to Orlando for a concert tonight, but apparently it's storming there too.
:scared:

[Nikki Stone1]

41. Might be a good night to stay home.

How bad is it?

[Kajsa]

39. Latest link from NOAA.

http://www.noaawatch.gov/2008/gustav.php

[readmoreoften]

45. Where is Swamp Rat? Is he evacuated to a safe place?

[KharmaTrain]

48. Here's A Great Site To Keep Track...

Newsfeeds from television stations around the country:

http://www.livenewscameras.com/

and in specific this Channel named "Hurricane Central:

http://www.hurricanecity.com/live.asx

Please...to all my DU brothers and sisters in the path...don't take chances. I was in NOLA last March and love that city...I can't fathom another big one hitting them after all they've had to endure and rebuild...

[tedoll78]

52. Current location: Kenner, LA

Flight home to Austin leaves at 805AM tomorrow morning. Sister is evacuated already, house is boarded-up, grandmother is with uncle in Hammond. Parents are leaving overnight; the car is already packed to the brim with clothes and supplies.

I would evacuate with them, but my workplace desperately needs me on Sunday and Monday nights. I'll be the only MRI technologist available for those days. If needed, I'll return to Louisiana immediately on Wednesday.

I'm a wreck inside, but I'm also trying to put on a brave face for my folks' sake.

[Phentex]

58. I had never heard of Kenner, LA until today...

Got my phone bill and there is a 1 minute call to Kenner, LA. We have no idea who would have called there for 1 minute but there are mistakes on the bill on a regular basis.

Did I call you, lol?

Hope you stay safe.

[Kajsa]

54. Please, be safe people.

Get any and all the help you need.


:grouphug:

[Raven]

55. K&R Where are the MODS???? I've asked...we need a special thread for this!

[Feron]

59. Well..

1. I'm a nervous basketcase, but I'll be okay.

Supply-wise I'm ready. And other stuff like taking pictures I'll finish today. All I have left to do tomorrow is finalize outdoor pickup like bringing in lawn furniture and bring in my fragile plants.

2. If it gets too bad I have invitations from family and friends if I need a place to stay. But I also have the means to get a hotel room if necessary.

3. There isn't much anyone else can do other than to help evacuees and provide aid if the need arises. Let's all hope that Gustav spins himself out before he hits land.

[Raven]

61. Where are you? Why aren't you out of there??? Don't be

stupid about this. Where are you?

[Nikki Stone1]

62. Latest

[cwydro]

63. In Key West

we've been getting smacked around pretty good today.

Supposed to get worse before it gets better. The storm is arond 170 miles SW of us and we are supposed to get increasingly higher winds as it goes by.

Torrential rainfall all day. But it's the Gulf Coast that really needs to get prepared.
I wish everyone good luck and stay safe.

[Behind the Aegis]

64. Sadly, preparing to evacuate if they demand it.

We don't have a choice at this point. The city is shutting down.

[Th1onein]

65. I'm in Brownsville, TX......been hit once this year.....

I don't like those low barometer readings along our coast. I'm in an RV and ready to pull out in an hour if it seems like it's coming our way. AND, I've got a sister in the Galveston, TX area, also in an RV. Hopefully, my brother will come and pull her out of there, if it moves to hit the Texas Gulf Coast.

[geomon666]

66. People, do not wait to leave if you are in the 3 day impact cone.

Look at the computer models:


The area of impact is nearly certain. In a CAT 4 hurricane winds stretch out over 60 miles. In a CAT 5, that's well over 70. At this points it doesn't matter if it wobbles east or west, anyone within a hundred miles of the eye will feel it. Do not wait to leave. Tomorrow is your best chance because by Monday morning, the streets will be clogged with traffic with people leaving.

This is not a storm you want to ride through. A CAT 3 Katrina wiped out whole towns. Gustav is expected to hit as a strong CAT 4, possibly CAT 5. If you live in a building that is older and less sturdy or made of slim wood, you need to leave. If you live in a trailer or mobile home, you need to leave. If your house is elevated or not on a solid foundation, you need to leave. Seek stronger shelter or evacuate the town completely.

Secure your assets. Deed to your house, title to your car. Take these things with you. Take cash out now. When the power goes down, your credit cards and ATM cards are useless. Get gas now. Gas pumps run on electricity. No power, no gas. If you evacuate, tell someone where you're going to be ahead of time even if it's just a coworker.

Best wishes to all of you in the path of this monster.

[Wednesdays]

68. There are people on other message boards

telling me they're in the storm's path, but they aren't leaving 'cause they don't know what to do about their pets. :banghead:

[Barack_America]

69. Where are they? They can evacuate with their pets...

Pets are being accommodated this time.

[Barack_America]

70. MANDATORY evacuation for New Orleans now...

The predicted path shifted and New Orleans is now poised to get the worst of it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6839772

[Ilsa]

71. I'm in the far west part of the cone. In the morning, I may be

in it or out of it. Been that way for the last u days. We'll be waiting it out at home. We don't have to worry about flooding, just wind.

[likesmountains 52]

72. My family in New Orleans is leaving at midnight tonight..after they pack all their food

etc. so they don't come home to the hazmat refrigerator like after Katrina..

[Nikki Stone1]

78. Good luck

:kick:

[Phentex]

74. kick

:kick:

[llort51ra]

77. .

Be ready for the looters