Hurricane Gustav

We just had a call from some cousins -- we have evacuees on the way. Mom, four little boys, and a pug dog. Dad is with the Corp of Engineers, and has to stay behind.

Poor things. They had five feet of water with Katrina.

We just had a call from some cousins -- we have evacuees on the way. Mom, four little boys, and a pug dog. Dad is with the Corp of Engineers, and has to stay behind.

Poor things. They had five feet of water with Katrina.

Reality is starting to sink in now. My son applied to Loyola N. O. just last week. He emailed someone there today (re: Gustav) and he replied that he and his wife and cat are on their way out of town.

We just had a call from some cousins -- we have evacuees on the way. Mom, four little boys, and a pug dog. Dad is with the Corp of Engineers, and has to stay behind.

Poor things. They had five feet of water with Katrina.

That sucks, the corp didn't seem to confident with the current levees. The guy I saw on the news just kept saying that they would withhold a Cat3 and they were pretty much done, he kept avoiding the real question. This is gonna suck and if you know someone in NOLA, tell them to leave.

The colleges and universities in NO have good leadership and they all suspended classes and evacuated yesterday (Friday). President Scott Cowen of Tulane is a really superb administrator--I've met him, and he spoke to my college's Board meeting last January. I've also met a number of the student life folks at Loyola--they are smart, incisive people. No one in college in NO is at risk with the leadership I've seen there.
One might wish better leadership on the civic and state level, but that's another story. Right now, they at least seem cognizant of the problems of last time.

It is really starting to sink in...plenty of NOLA people are coming this way to Houston. God Bless these folks.

4:00 pm. CST, 8/30/08. We are under a Tropical Storm Watch.

Louisiana needs to move.

"I really hope the Weather channel isn't discounting other possibilities of landfall just to have the drama of a NOLA direct hit. "

Me too! I hate TWC

We just had a call from some cousins -- we have evacuees on the way. Mom, four little boys, and a pug dog. Dad is with the Corp of Engineers, and has to stay behind.

Poor things. They had five feet of water with Katrina.

I have a couple on the way too--from Lake Charles area.
Holy Moly--I haven't looked til now!!

2000 people are due here in Memphis today via Amtrak, and we're told we might have many, many more. Evidently, there's not a hotel room to be had south of here (and we're 6.5 hours by car from NO.)

I have a couple on the way too--from Lake Charles area.
Holy Moly--I haven't looked til now!!

You and Punzy are my heroes...and I am sure there are many more out there. I saw they were loading up the buses in NOLA...with people and their pets! God Speed!

4:00 pm. CST, 8/30/08. We are under a Tropical Storm Watch.

Louisiana needs to move.

The weather radio just started sounding the alarms about 10 minutes ago. The TS Watch on there included Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties.... That's close enough for me.

Well i didn't expect this little shower!:shock:

This just in....

...TROPICAL STORM WATCH IN EFFECT...
...NEW INFORMATION...
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL WALTON...BAY... GULF...AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES IN THE EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

Man. We just got here this morning and were planning to go check out the digital graffiti at Alys after dinner (Cantina Laredo...yum), but where did this little shower come from??? I better check the updated maps huh?

This just in....

http://www.wunderground.com/US/FL/008.html#HWW

Statement as of 6:58 PM CDT on August 30, 2008

... Tropical storm watch in effect...

... New information...

A tropical storm watch is now in effect for coastal Walton... Bay...
Gulf... and Franklin counties in the eastern Florida Panhandle.

... Areas affected...

This statement recommends actions to be taken by persons in the
following counties or marine areas:

Coastal Walton... Bay... Gulf... Franklin.

... Watches/warnings...

A tropical storm watch is now in effect for coastal Walton... Bay...
Gulf... and Franklin counties in the eastern Florida Panhandle.

... Precautionary/preparedness actions...

With a tropical storm watch in effect... now is the time to put
your preparedness plan into action. Stock up on canned goods...
water... and other non perishable supplies. Purchase batteries...
fill your car up with gas... and Purchase the necessary supplies to
protect your home and family should tropical storm force winds
arrive. Make sure you have extra Cash on hand. Refill any
important prescriptions that will be needed through the duration
of the storm. Remember... supplies such as food... water and
medicine may be in short supply in the days after the storm has
passed. Listen carefully to your local emergency management
officials... and be ready to take action if advised to do so.

Although the main threat for sustained tropical storm force winds
is expected over the coastal waters... bands of showers and
thunderstorms associated with Gustav may produce gusts to tropical
storm force over the interior.

In preparation for these gusts... residents should secure loose
outdoor items so they are not lofted into the air. Any airborne
objects can cause additional damage to structures as well as
injure anyone outside during the storm.

Also... all small craft should remain in port and commercial vessels
should prepare for very strong winds and dangerous conditions... and
consider remaining in port or taking shelter in port until winds
and waves subside.

... Storm surge and storm tide...

Since Hurricane Gustav is forecast to make landfall well to our
west on Monday... a maximum storm surge of only 1 to 3 feet is
possible across the eastern Panhandle at this time.
Additionally... astronomical high tides will be very low through
the period... reducing the risk of coastal flooding due to storm
surge. However... seas will begin to build late tonight through
Sunday... peaking late Sunday night into Monday... and slowly
trending downward through the mid week period. The combination of
the easterly wind waves and southerly swells from Gustav will lead
to extremely rough conditions across the northeast Gulf of Mexico
through this time. Significant wave heights are forecast to reach
up to 15 to 20 feet late Sunday night into Monday... especially to
the south of Destin and Panama City. All small craft are urged to
remain in port during this time.

This will also lead to hazardous alongshore and rip currents as
well as dangerously high surf along the eastern Panhandle beaches
beginning Sunday evening through Tuesday. Surf heights will peak
at 10 to 13 feet with occasional higher sets. These conditions
will be life threatening to anyone entering the water... including
experienced surfers.

... Winds...

Although the main threat for sustained tropical storm force winds
is expected over the coastal waters as Gustav passes off to our west...
bands of showers and thunderstorms associated with the hurricane may
produce gusts to tropical storm force over the interior.

... Inland flooding...

Although locally heavy rainfall will be possible in the bands of
showers and thunderstorms... storm totals of 2 to 4 inches of rain
should preclude additional widespread inland and riverine flooding.

... Tornadoes...

Isolated tornadoes will be possible on Sunday and Monday.

... Next update...

This statement will be updated by the National Weather Service in
Tallahassee by 100 am EDT.

Sandestin has vacancies and is offering discounts for evacuees. In case there is anyone who knows anyone in La who needs place.

This storm does not look good.

Man. We just got here this morning and were planning to go check out the digital graffiti at Alys after dinner (Cantina Laredo...yum), but where did this little shower come from??? I better check the updated maps huh?

http://www.wunderground.com/radar/r...abel=you&showstorms=0&showlabels=1&rainsnow=0

but where did this little shower come from???

Gustav: http://weather.myfoxtampabay.com/maps/WTVT/custom/satrad.html

my son just came back from walmart ,he said things were very crazy.No bread,milk or even toilet paper!! Hotel rooms in the Jackson metro area were gone bymidweek.
I have water and gas, no generator though gas lantern will have to do until I climb out of the woods to get to a friends with a generator.

From Jeff Masters' blog on http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html

Louisiana, here comes Gustav. The latest 12Z (8 am EDT) model runs have united around a strike in central Louisiana on Monday afternoon or evening. We should not be surprised if the center comes ashore as far east as Mississippi, or as far west as Galveston, though, given the current boundaries of the cone of uncertainty. A landfall on the western side of the cone of uncertainty, in Texas, is more likely than one on the eastern side, in Mississippi. <Thank God, because those lines have moved east since this morning. MC> Once Gustav makes landfall, it will slow down, and pose a significant rainfall/flooding threat to Louisiana and Texas. Portions of this region are under moderate to severe drought, so the flooding could've been worse. Several of the models are forecasting that Gustav will drift southwestward back over the Gulf of Mexico after landfall, and this is a distinct possibility. The motion of Gustav in the longer term may be influenced by Hanna, which I will talk about in the Hanna section.

I tried to post some pictures of Hurricane Eloise. Also have a movie (old family 8mm now on cd). Maybe I'll figure it out tomorrow. It shows Lake Tresca and Eastern Lake joined. Water going through where now there is a house on the corner of SanRoy.

Where is/was Lake Tresca?

I am a South Walton resident living this summer in the Floida Keys. Tonight we have had large bands of severe weather associated with Hurricane Gustav. We have had 3 Tornado Warnings in the last 2 hours. I cannot even imagine what the poor folks in the path of this incredible storm will go through. I feel so sorry for them. My thoughts and prayers will be with them. I am very thankful that South Walton Beach is not in the storms path. We are incredibly lucky.

Watercolor has some pet friendly rentals avail

Watercolor contacted their vacation rental owners and many of them are allowing pets in their units due to the evacuation. Just thought I would post the info here too.

The low clouds are zooming by this morning. :shock:

Anyone heard from InletBchDweller? I sent her a private message. She is about 67 miles from New Orleans so I assume she might be far enough inland at Prairieville. Haven't heard back from her.

They are showing a 60% chance of rain for us Tuesday through Thursday from Gustav according to our local news last night. Rain Friday also now.

Anyone heard from InletBchDweller? I sent her a private message. She is about 67 miles from New Orleans so I assume she might be far enough inland at Prairieville. Haven't heard back from her.

They are showing a 60% of rain for us Tuesday through Thursday from Gustav according to our local news last night.

I have been thinking of the IBDs, too. I will call her.