electric mist

Katrina, 175 mile winds

Just got back from a slew of errands. Absolutely everything was packed. Fortunately, everyone had a good attitude about it and there was a lot of visiting in the lines, chatting and joking. Most of the gas pumps were either empty or had long lines. The "express" lane in the grocery store (for ten items or less) had more than twenty people in line, and the other lanes were worse. Shelves all through the store were picked over.

I'm relieved to see that New Orleans opened up shelters for the people who couldn't get out. It seems pretty dumb to wait until the last day like this -- they should have done it yesterday. I worry about people -- the elderly, the sick -- who live on their own who can't get to the shelters. Hopefully, someone is canvassing those neighborhoods and checking on those people.

Of course, if New Orleans floods, the massive pumps that keep the water out may not be able to pump the water fast enough.

My cousin made it back... took her four hours longer to get here than normal, but I'm glad to know she's safe. My dad has gone down to Pierre Part and tied and chained down the fishing camp. (The camp isn't very structurally sound.) Carl is currently boarding up his dad's store and everything here is as ready as it can be.

I'm going to try to blog through the storm -- as much to be able to remember the details later as for anything else. Going through Andrew was a strange experience, but I have forgotten so much.

Posted by toni at August 28, 2005 12:28 PM