Hurricane Katrina

[johnsilver]

Hey Russ, didn't know you were from Slidell and going to LSU. I live in Houston now but am a native Louisianian and LSU alum. I'm thinking about you and your family. Really.

I hear that the universities in NO are likely to cancel the semester. Understandable. I guess that LSU-BR will press on.

Here in Houston, we have many, many people native to Louisiana. A co-worker's sister has a home in Slidell and it is gone. His other sister lived in Chalmette - house is flooded over the roof. Another has a father with a house in Eden Isles - haven't heard about that one yet. Another's entire family lives in New Orleans - she hasn't heard from most of them. My former boss had just built a new retirement home in Gulfport - gone now. And so on, and so on. My niece lives in Mobil - she is ok. All of my folks are around Baton Rouge and throughout Acadiana. All are ok.

Many evacuees are headed for Houston. The Astrodome has just been opened as a shelter and the Red Cross is looking for volunteers to help out in shelters throughout the city. People who were in hotels for a few days are now moving into shelters because of the cost and they can't go back to Louisiana. My company is mobilizing volunteers like many others.

BTW, I have an excellent version of Randy Newman's song Louisiana 1927. It is sung by Aaron Neville, a New Orleans native.

[HeavnerGuitarWorks]

I live in Oxford MS which is in the northwest part of MS... we had 70-80 mph winds, but luckily came out unscathed. It was my daughters 2nd birthday and we had just sat down to watch a movie together when the power went off (4:00 p.m.). It didn't come back on til 4:00 p.m. the next day... then the water went out almost immediately for 24 hours. The storm didn't hit us til around midnight, but it was bad enough to scare the s#@t outta' me at 4:00. I kept telling the wife "If it's this bad now and the storms not even here yet...". As bad as it was here, there were no deaths, no home damages, just a few down trees and damage to a few cars. We were extremely blessed.

I dont know whats happening here, (south east georgia) but the people are freaking out and Swamping the gas stations, in 2 hrs gas went from 273  to 339 (regular) I think its price gouging, I need gas but I'm not dealing with that mess, I'll go out at 3am to the 24 hr place (if there is any left).....

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I got a call from a coworker right as I got up today telling me if I wanted gas I needed to leave right then. Gas prices were jumping and there were lines at the stations who were running out of gas. By the time I made it to town, over half the gas stations were out of gas, but luckily I found one that still had decent prices. The bad part is that none of the stations will get more gas til at least the 9th. This hurricane is going to be felt all over the nation. There are over 20 oil rigs missing or damaged, the coast is responsible for refining over 25% of the nations oil and the MS gulf coast is responsible for 91% of oil for the entire gulf coast. However, it doesn't only affect the coast. They ship crude oil to the Texas and other refineries. No power means no oil... no oil means no gas!

When I got the phone call, I didn't take it that seriously.... I almost didn't get any gas either... and don't know when I'll be able to get more!!! I live 28 miles from work or any type of store, so that one tank of gas isn't going to last long. Take it serious folks! This is some serious shite!

I don't think that $3.39 is price gouging... I think it is the start of a true gas crisis. The other problem with the hurricane is natural gas. We lost alot of natural gas rigs as well. Hope ya'll don't use natural gas for heat this winter!

It's not just gas either... the gulf coast is where a ton of imported goods arrive in this country. I know they will just be sent to another location, but that means more $$$ in gas to get it here. If gas prices rise, everything rises due to shipping costs. Expect prices to rise in stores soon.

The way I heard it is WalMart has an agreement with emergency services that they may break in and take whatever they need in response to an emergency. The only condition, as I heard it, is they have to leave a list of items taken.

As I heard it.

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The agreement isn't with just Walmart... it's federal law that the government can take what they want in time of emergencies. They can take your house if it is needed. WalMart didn't open their doors and say take what you want... they made an announcement that they were giving away food and water to those that need it and all hell broke loose. People took everthing. I saw a video clip of a cop busting the glass on a DVD cabinet to keep people from hurting themselves while looting the DVDs. There's more desperate people than cops so the cops are letting them do it. The mayor of NOLA just pulled the entire police force from the search and rescue missions to patrol the streets and take care of the looting problem... that means the cops, who should be rescuing people, now have to prevent theft and the rescue mission is now 1500 people short. It's a very sad situation!

It definitely helps you realize what's important in life. I couldn't imagine what I would do if I was in their situation... but as long as my daughter and wife are safe I am fine... take those 2 things from me and I am a broke man.

[Kevan]

MSNBC had some great footage of two female cops joining in the looting.

I mean, ya need shoes, right?

So much for those jobs. We'll just call that tape "Exit Interview".

[sepultura999]

What really pisses me off about all this is that US FEMA predicted over the last couple of years that a major hurricane is very likely to devastate New Orleans and the gulf, and identified this as THE major risk to the US, more than any terrorist attack or earthquake. If you want an article on that, pm me and I'll dig it up for you.

All this technology and resources is then put to waste, and ignored. The national guard is stating to CNN that they wish they were more prepared. I don't know about you, but I'd take a terrorist attack any day over a level 3+ hurricane, especially since Toronto has only been hit by a hurricane once and I wasn't even born yet.

[Southpa]

You would think they had some computer models made up for worst case scenarios, ie. when (not if) the levees fail. They must know where all the low spots in New Orleans are and could anticipate what would happen if the lake emptied its contents into the city. At least they could target those sensitive areas and make sure nobody is there when it happens.

Now I hear they are imposing a mandatory evacuation of the city because the place is uninhabitable (of course). Something that should have been implemented even before the storm hit. The next time, and there WILL be a next time, this happens they should try to make sure the entire area is evacuated. Its only the beginning of the hurricane season.

All the lunatics, gangs, etc. are running around with guns shooting at cops, helicopters and each other. I think those people (anyone hindering relief/rescue efforts or preying upon other hurricane victims) should be exterminated with extreme predjudice.

Edited September 1, 2005 by Southpa

[bigdguitars]

20 varitones for sale 100% goes to the red cross, this is in the auction section but thought I could put it here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=7347622787

[Kevan]

20 varitones for sale 100% goes to the red cross, this is in the auction section but thought I could put it here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=7347622787

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Nice move, D! I like it.

(It'll remain in this thread as well)

Members: feel free to "+1" this post or put it up on other sites.

[Scott Rosenberger]

I just wrote a $100 check to the Red Cross. Not much but every little bit helps

[Guitarfrenzy]

I live in the southern part of Arkansas, about 60 miles from the Louisiana border and have a lot of friends who live in the great state of Louisiana. I can only hope they are doing ok, and my heart goes out to each and everyone who has been devastated by this. My prayers are with all of you. I can guarantee that the people from Arkansas have been doing what they can to help out, donating, bringing people water and food by the truckloads, etc., as are other States.. Although you can never do enough to help, this is a time to help our neighbors in their time of need. It's really ashame that looters make the job harder on everyone though. Still I feel that by donating to the cause I can be of some help, I encourage everyone to at least donate to theAmerican Red Cross.

We are also getting a huge impact from this as gas prices are skyrocketing and some don't even have gas to sell and don't know when they will have any more. Even though it's going to be a major inconvience, It still can't compare to the sheer problems that others are having in Lousiana, Miss,... I find it really hard to complain when there are people out there who don't even have a roof over their heads.

[thegarehanman]

Southpa:

They did have a manditory evacutation before the storm hit. They had a mandatory evactuation for most places. The thing is, cops can't go through every home and building making sure everyone has evactuated. At some point before the hurricane, the close the interstate. They don't want people getting blown off the road if they leave too late.

[RGGR]

I lived in Florida for number of years and never left, even when evacuations were mandatory. Always thought I would be better of in my own place then in some motel rooms miles and miles away.

Seeing all this devastation makes me re-think this reasoning again. Man!!.....what a cat 4 can do.

New Orleans being under sea level doesn't help either. 60% of Holland is below sea-level and after a big storm in 1952, our government build huge dike infrastructure around whole country so this would never happen again. We spend billions.

The Dutch specialist on TV commenting on this ordeal were expressing the higher standards of safety our government demands compaired to US government, and that the levy system in NO was shaky to begin with. Wise words after the fact so to say.

People of course knew this could happen, but never realised it might actually would.

The impact will be huge.

And all this loothing. It doesn't surprise me. But If I was in area I would be sure I had my dear helper at close reach.

Edited September 1, 2005 by RGGR

[Mr.Churchyard]

Man, I hope the damage is limited. If I were religious, I sure would pray for you and all the others living over there. Instead, I just hope the area will recover as quickly and perfectly as possible, and that the loss of life is contained... I never witnessed anything comparable so I cannot even imagine all the pain and destruction. Good luck to you garehanman and any others on the board living in the area.

[thegarehanman]

Man, I hope the damage is limited.

It's not limited. Just look at the pictures. Now, to add insult to injury, there are riots in New Orleans and here in Baton Rouge as well. I, however, am religious, and I am praying quite dearly.

[RGGR]

I'm not religious, but if I were I would be in serious doubt what message God is sending with this devastation.

[TenderSurrender]

I'm not religious, but if I were I would be in serious doubt what message God is sending with this devastation.

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I cant say im religious but i can understand where your coming from RGGR.

I would also be very confused about what kind of message God is setting forward to those suffering, I mean the God who is meant to be all forgiving etc, inflicting this much damage on (as far as we know) completly innocent people...

However i wish not to turn this into a religious debate since we should be concentrating on much more important things, such as wishing that all those effected are ok, and that things can return to normal a.s.ap

~~ Slain Angel ~~

[bigdguitars]

hey folks no more of this religion stuff, who cares. Believe what you want, BUT DO SOMETHING TO HELP.

[TenderSurrender]

hey folks no more of this religion stuff, who cares.  Believe what you want, BUT DO SOMETHING TO HELP.

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Sorry BigD and others, your right

Im going to donate some money to the red cross as soon as i can... i know its not a lot but as mentioned before, every little bit of money can help...

~~ Slain Angel ~~

[Kevan]

A friend of mine in ATL has relatives that came to stay with them on Sat. pre-landfall. They are from the Gulfport area. They told him today that everything is gone- their house and everything in it, their 3 cars...there's nothing there anymore. Unreal.

Here's some helicopter footage that he sent over. Some of you may have seen edited parts of this on the news programs. It's amazing.

http://www.atlantainboard.com/content/Hurr...na_Gulfport.asf

Roger- I'll bet he's not very helpful around the shop, but after dusk in NO, he'd be a very good buddy.

[jamesj]

hey folks no more of this religion stuff, who cares.  Believe what you want, BUT DO SOMETHING TO HELP.

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Sorry BigD and others, your right

Im going to donate some money to the red cross as soon as i can... i know its not a lot but as mentioned before, every little bit of money can help...

~~ Slain Angel ~~

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I'm donating at Lowes, they will match in store contributions up to a mil. I figure double what I can spare.

Also... IMHO its New Orleans and Lousiana's fault more than it is FEMA's. It's the state and city's responsibility to build and maintain the levies, and you can bet your bottom dollar they had the lowest bidder (or someones brother-in-law) build them. If they were built and maintained better the flood never would have happened. Thats the worst problem, Katrina was nice to them in comparison.

[Mr.Churchyard]

Man, I hope the damage is limited.

It's not limited. Just look at the pictures.

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I meant to your own home, sorry if I wasn't clear enough.

What a total catastrophe.

[thegarehanman]

Oh, sorry. As you can tell, I'm a bit on edge right now. My mom and 10 year old sister are flying North Carolina to stay with family for a few months. When they start letting people back into my town, my Dad and 14 year old sister are going back to start rebuilding. We own 3 houses in town so there could be lots and lots of work. My dad doesn't want me going to help him until the situation substantially improves because he's afraid I won't be able to get back to Baton Rouge. And I just heard that there was a sniper on top of Charity Hospital shooting refugees. Now I'm not certain that's true, but if it is, well...that' majorly F***ed up.

[bigdguitars]

hey thegarehanman how old are you as a reference.

-Derek

[RGGR]

Also... IMHO its New Orleans and Lousiana's fault more than it is FEMA's. It's the state and city's responsibility to build and maintain the levies, and you can bet your bottom dollar they had the lowest bidder (or someones brother-in-law) build them. If they were built and maintained better the flood never would have happened.

We humans have a very very short memory. When hurricane Betsy had her near miss some years ago, it woke people up, but they all went back to sleep pretty quickly.

When you're living in a city below sea level, surrounded on 3 ways by water, in a hurricane prone area, and over the years you have deminished the natural barriers (read: coastal swamps, and wet land. - Very recently Nation Geographic did large article on the impact humans had had on the wetland area for the coast of New Orleans) you're simply are in for some trouble. You don't know when.....but you know it's gonna happen some day.

Story on BBC tonight was that federal money dedicated to the levy system had been moved to the Presidents new homeland secrutiy budget, and so is spend on war on terror (read: Iraq) instead of on proper protection of city of New Orleans. It was an interesting way of looking at things.

Personally I don't think even the best dike/levy system could have prevented this.

This was a big sucker storm with lot's of power in it. Damage would have been done. No matter what.

What needs serious attention is the response and preparedness of local officials. This didn't follow their worst case scenario by any means. They are now in way over their heads. In 3 weeks this all will be somewhat under control. But right now it's total chaos.

Here is the richest and most powerful nation in the world..... and somehow it all doesn't look very solid and professional. I wouldn't dare to say I see a trend here....but I do remember recent clumbsy shuttle launches........and these briljantly thought-out war efforts........

Doesn't mean I don't care for people that lost their loved ones. That's simply terrible.

And that tape just makes you get goose bumps. Not good.

Edited September 1, 2005 by RGGR

[westhemann]

hey thegarehanman how old are you as a reference.

-Derek

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look at his profile

[thegarehanman]

18