Say a prayer for the Gulf Coast. I have been watching this monster closely. The projected path of the 'eye' takes it directly over our family 'camp' on the north shore of lake Pontchartrain and then over my parents home 40 miles north of NOLA. The pressure in this one is the lowest recorded since 1935. Even lower than Camille and Andrew. 175 mph. We don't expect the camp and boat to be there on Tuesday morning.
We need a miracle.

Dang!

Our prayers are with them that the storm will passby and all will be safe.

Kenneth

3pm: Just overheard audio from the Hurricane Hunter airplane. They just reported winds at 185 mph with pressure still dropping. Now at 902mb. That makes it on par (or slightly stronger than Camille). I lived thru that one (and Betsy), and it was the most nightmare-ish experience of my life, even moreso than the tornado I had to stare down right after I moved to Ga.
I also just saw a live feed from downtown NOLA that showed a van with speakers on top, driving around and playing 'Amazing Grace'. (Had to laugh at that one - only in the free nation of La.)

This one will be catastrophic.

Dang sure is pretty, tho!
Katrina Sat. photo

I'm keeping my eye on it, Steve. Doesn't look good at the moment. I'll keep them in my prayers along with my other friends in Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tarvol,

I'm freaking out a bit too. My uncle lives in Houma and Aunt lives in downtown New Orleans. It might be "lived" depending on what happens. Our GGA pal is in Baton Rouge and I've got lots of cacher pals in LA since I am the sole reviewer for LA.

Lots of caches are going to get swept away.

Well, she's made landfall...a bit east of the city. MAYBE New Orleans will be spared the doomsday scenario. Depends on the full punch...

Still cannot contact family members in the path of the storm.
I am hoping that no news is good news.

My Uncle in Houma thinks his house is probably totally underwater. No telling how long before he can go back. We have not heard from our Aunt and cousin, but they were west of Covington near Ponchatoula and Hammond so we think they are OK.

I talked at great length to ClayJar last night. He is in Baton Rouge and has no power (since 8:00 AM) but no trees on his house or anything. A pretty large branch came off of one of the trees and just missed his sister's car. His cell phone worked at least.

the pictures coming out of new orleans and the gulf area are just incredible. i feel so sorry for those people. so much destruction in so many states.

Does anyone know someone that does HAM radio? A friend is desperate to know if her elderly mom with alzheimers has survived the blow. No phones. Police overwhelmed right now. Any chance someone with a HAM radio can help out? Please e-mail me at brownthrasher at bellsouth.net for more info if you can help out.

Thanks.

Just found out from my nephew that was in Bogalusa with the rest of my family that everyone is safe and the house held up rather well, considering. Flooding was moderate, but the enormous amount of huge trees down has the city in a virtual lockdown. No movement at all. He followed an emergency clearing team and ambulance to make his escape to Baton Rouge and called my brother on his cell, before it went dead. At this time, they will not allow me to enter the area even if I could get over there to help. Obviously, there is no electricity, water, or communication. That's all I know - but it is good news.
Fate of sister's house in Mandeville - unknown.
Fate of sister's rental in Bayou LaCombe - unknown.
Fate of aunt's house in Kenner (NOLA) - unknown.
It will probably be weeks before we find out the fate of our family camp and boat (party barge) on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. I don't expect either to be there.
At least I can get some sleep now...

You might want to check this web site, phat.

NOLA Blog with Info about Recovery in MS and LA

It seems to have local information as opposed to just New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Biloxi. There are also contact numbers for requesting info back from Red Cross and Salvation Army. Good luck on your family. I'm glad to hear that bro made it through alright.

Yea, I have this link bookmarked and have been checking it hourly.
I also have been on constantly this site:
WWL TV
There are forums for parishes (counties) in the affected area. I monitor St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. That's where the family is.
Thanx

I received an email from a scanner alert group that mentions that martial law was declared in New Orleans area.
I checked all the major news websites and Foxnews/CNN and no talk of formal declaration.
Some obscure websites mention it was declared, but not AP and other major players.
Just because military is there to stop looting doesn't mean martial law is in effect.
Funny thing is the Wikipedia page for Martial Law has already been updated that it was declared.

Anyone else here of a formal declaration?

Kenneth

I have heard this too, but like you said, not on a major network. They probably need it tho, so they can shoot looters 'on sight'.

Well Reuters mentions it.

Well...I guess it is about semantics but to me the definition on Wikipedia isn't met by the moving in of military. Declaration would have to be made by the military. Maybe it has, maybe it hasn't.
Seems to me if it had, it would be all over the place...Fox, ABC, MSNBC, etc.

I'm with you phat.bak.
Its one thing for them to steal food, but they were on Canal street stealing tennis shoes, TVs, etc.

Kenneth

I've seen a most of Mayor Nagin's releases and clips, but I must have missed the one on martial law. I have seen the one's declaring curfew's and those regarding looters.
The clip that got me was a looter blatently smiled for the camera and said 'it's about survival' ... as she came out of the jewelry store. That is when I wish I had a badge on with martial law declared. Would have been a perfect 'bullseye'.

From Today's Times Pickayune:

Martial law clarified

Tuesday, 9:02 p.m.

The state Attorney General's office on Tuesday sought to clarify reports in some media that "martial law' has been declared in parts of storm-ravaged southeast Louisiana, saying no such term exists in Louisiana law.

But even though no martial law exists, Gov. Kathleen Blanco's declaration of a state of emergency gives authorities widespread latitude to suspend civil liberties as they try to restore order and bring victims to safety. Under the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act of 1993, the governor and, in some cases, chief parish officials, have the right to commandeer or utilize any private property if necessary to cope with the emergency.

Authorities may also suspend any statute related to the conduct of official business, or any rule issued by a state agency, if complying would "prevent, hinder or delay necessary action'' to mitigate the emergency.

It also gives authority the right to compel evacuations, suspend alcohol and weapons sales and make provisions for the availability and use of temporary emergency housing.

The law gives mayors similar authority, except they do not have the right to commandeer private property or make provisions for emergency housing, according to a background brief prepared by the state Attorney General's office.