Hurricane Katrina

[steltz]

Guys this is a terrifying hurricane. Projected category 4 at landfall some even projecting a category 5. New Orleans hasn't seen a category 4 hurricane since the 1940's. I know we have all heard stories about Betsy, and she was a category 3 40 years ago 1965.

I am in Hammond and we are thinking about boarding up today. People in low lying areas of southeast louisiana could be in for some of the scary times. If anyone has family down here make sure to stay in touch with them and make sure that they have a plan.

It is by all computer models going to have some sort of serious affect on New Orleans. Lets hope its as minimal as possible. Pray for your Dawgs and everyone else in Katrina's path.

[Bigdog13]

My prayers go out to you and everyone else in Katrinas path. I was just reading about it on fox news and it showed a model of the eye passing right over N.O. Scary stuff. Like I said we will be praying for you.

[domangue]

I am evacuating to Ruston tonight.

hmm.. maybe I'll have enough time to make it up to rabb's or something

[hookdown]

Went through Alicia (minimal Cat 3) in 83 in Houston. Should have evac'ed then. Cannot even imagine what a Cat 4 is like. If you are in south LA, get out now!!! You can always rebuild, if need be. This is a very scary storm. All of you will be in our prayers over the next few days.


Worst case scenario for NO:


Hurricane Would Ravage Big EasySaturday, August 27, 2005



NEW ORLEANS — The worst-case scenario for New Orleans (search) — a direct strike by a full-strength hurricane — could submerge much of this historic city treetop-deep in a stew of sewage, industrial chemicals and fire ants, and the inundation could last for weeks, experts say.
If the storm were strong enough, it could drive water over the tops of the levees that protect the city from the Mississippi River and vast Lake Pontchartrain (search). And with the city sitting in a saucer-shaped depression that dips as much as 9 feet below sea level, there would be nowhere for all that water to drain.

Even in the best of times, New Orleans depends on a network of canals and huge pumps to keep water from accumulating inside the basin.

LSU's hurricane experts have spent years developing computer models and taking surveys to predict what might happen.

Computer models show a hurricane with a wind speed of around 120 mph or more — hitting just west of New Orleans so its counterclockwise rotation could hurl the strongest surf and wind directly into the city — would push a storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain (search) over the city's levees.

New Orleans would be under about 20 feet of water, higher than the roofs of many of the city's homes.

Severe flooding in area bayous also forces out wildlife, including poisonous snakes and stinging fire ants, which sometimes gather in floating balls carried by the current.

Much of the city would be under water for weeks. And even after the river and Lake Pontchartrain receded, the levees could trap water above sea level, meaning the Army Corps of Engineers would have to cut the levees to let the water out.

Experts say that if the eye were to come ashore east of the city, New Orleans would be on the low side of the storm surge and would not likely have catastrophic flooding.

The worst storm in recent decades to hit New Orleans was Hurricane Betsy in 1965, which submerged parts of the city in water 7-feet deep and was blamed for 74 deaths in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. That storm was a Category 3.

Even if New Orleans escapes this time, it will remain vulnerable until the federal and state governments act to restore the coastal wetlands that should act as a buffer against storms coming in from the Gulf.

Louisiana has lost about a half million acres of coast to erosion since 1930 because the Mississippi River is so corralled by levees that it can dump sediment only at its mouth, and that allows waves from the Gulf to chop away at the rest of the coastline.

[bulldawg03]

Well, my parents and grandparents should be on the road to see me in Little Rock by now, leaving Metairie... I just wish my dad wouldn't be so stubborn... He believes he can fix something on the house if it flies off during the storm...

[Ktulu7]

I'm chillin' here in Baton Rouge, not going anywhere for now.. some folks here are scared too. We're now currently under a hurricane warning in BR too. God only knows.. the eye could blast through here too, no one really has any idea. In the morning.. if it's too horrible, I might have to head up highway 1 to my folks' house up in northern Concordia Parish. My problem is I'm in the southern flood area just due north of Manchac Point down here in Baton Rouge, so hopefully it doesn't swell the bayous too quick and wash us out.

[weunice]

I live in BR and I left to Beaumont ... 3 young kids, prospect of no power at work and home for up to a week in what has already been near record heat... no way .. I backed up my work on my laptop so I technically can work on the road. I'll take my chances here. If it rolls into MS the worst I am out is a couple of tanks of gas ... which these days requires a second mortgage but I can live with money and property lost.

[steltz]

Next update comes up in 20 minutes.

Eye has reformed, pressure continues to drop, nothing to stop this thing.

The story will be told tomorrow morning. It will pretty much be narrowed down.

[steltz]

Winds speeds increased from 115 to 145 unbelievable.

[altadawg]

Winds speeds increased from 115 to 145 unbelievable.

check it out: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA...-ir4-loop.html

[champion110]

This is the REAL thing, guys. Get out, if you are down there. I have been calling friends and family down there. They are all on their way out. By late afternoon, I don't think it will be that easy to get out.

[weunice]

Cat 5 now ... max winds 160 ... pressure 908 (for reference, Andrew was 922 and Camille was 905) .... hurricane force winds extend 85 miles from center. I hope people left already ... this is the real deal as the mayor of NO said last night.

[Dirtydawg]

Looks like the Dirtydawg is going to have to weather this out in the middle of his big old chemical plant. If it goes as planned, I'll probably be at work when this thing hits. Ktulu and others not familiar with BR, if you are around Manchac and there is significant rainfall and water, you'll probably flood.

[Ktulu7]

On CNN, they're showing possible situations where the eye hits in St. Mary Parish and going up the Atchafalaya as well... that'd be a disaster for Baton Rouge.. Lord I hope that doesn't happen.

[Amos Moses]

On CNN, they're showing possible situations where the eye hits in St. Mary Parish and going up the Atchafalaya as well... that'd be a disaster for Baton Rouge.. Lord I hope that doesn't happen.

Even in northern Concordia Parish, you may feel hurricane force winds and rain, per the Weather Channel. They are saying it could be hurricane force as far north as I-20.

I pray for all of you in the path of this monster.