Katrina wind gusts up to 170 mph possible

[steve2470]

on edit: (Insert your own interpretation)

Per WWL-TV

http://www.wwltv.com

[kestrel91316]

1. NOAA's latest 3-day cone shows the eye scoring a near-direct

hit on NO, maybe passing just a tiny bit to the west of NO.

I think this is a bad thing.

[steve2470]

2. yes, very bad nt

[Ripley]

3. Please edit your post to something less inflammatory.

Lots of us DUers live in the Southeast in the path of this storm and there are at least 5 DUers I know of that live in Nawlins. So don't say that okay?

Wish us the best, not death.

[steve2470]

4. Pardon me for getting overwrought

If I didn't give a **** about New Orleans and the rest of the SE, do you think I would be doing all this research and posting it here ?

(crickets chirping)

Ok, I made my point. OF COURSE I want the best for you and other DU'ers. Geez louise.

[Ripley]

6. Okay, thanks for posting the updates. However...

Telling them to kiss their ass goodbye is not very respectful when folks are already under stress. I know I'm already getting a little stressed because we had damage to our house from earlier hurricanes this summer and I'm pretty far inland.

Just sayin'

[markus]

26. Not wishing anything but the best Ripley, but that's the USN's forcast

Expecting 149 sustained and 173 in gusts (statute).

My mom and sister leave at dawn. I'm not even bothering my friends, except an email I don't expect them to see until much later wishing them the best.

I remember Besty (I was eight at the time) and saw Waveland as soon as martial law was lifted after Camille (I have family there, and they made it out of their house on the beach side of the rail embankment during the eye to a shelter on the north side of the embankment, or they'd not have made it).

[theHandpuppet]

5. Can someone please explain to me, before I blow a gasket....

Why the mayor of NO is playing a "wait and see" game with this hurricane? There are THOUSANDS of homeless, elderly, and handicapped folks who need to be evacuated, not to mention those folks who simply don't have their own cars (something like 30% of the metro population).

If these folks die because this mayor is worrying more about milking every last tourist dollar rather than making sure his citizens are safe, there are no words to express my absolute disgust!

[Ripley]

7. I don't know what the mayor has said, but...

I know that whenever people get evacuated in huge numbers and the storm changes course and nothing happens...the mayor, the NWC, the city planners, hell everyone gets demonized. It's not an easy task, and I doubt he is even thinking about the tourists, except to wish they would get their asses outta there.

[Bluebear]

8. The mayor at 6pm urged EVERYONE in NO to leave town

He said tomorrow morning he will be 'more forceful', hinting a mandatory evacuation if it doesn't change course.

[Ripley]

9. Sounds good to me.

They've been planning for this one for a long time. But since the chimpshit has been in office I'm sure their city budget disaster planning has been cut to high hell. So they probably have to rely on churches, etc. to evac inner city instead of bussing them by state/city officials. Hope they can get them all out!

[theHandpuppet]

11. Just saw a press conference with the NO mayor

He will still not make any decision about mandatory evacuations until tomorrow morning. That, IMHO, is so beyond irresponsible when so many lives are at stake.

[Carni]

12. Can we PLEASE start a thread about shelter for Duer's in the path?

Look I am probably twenty hours away (big help that is)but if snyone wants to drive and camp in my yard PM me

[steve2470]

14. you can do it or I can ? your pick nt

[steve2470]

16. never mind I just did it

:-)

[Carni]

85. Thanks I got bumped off line right after I posted that! NT

[Boomer]

17. Yeah, at 6pm on Saturday

Which is cutting it waaaay close if the hurricane path predictions are accurate.

Mandatory evacuation on Sunday morning, a scant 24 hours before landfall, is too late. Given the immensity of the danger to this particular city, and the few exits out of the area, waiting until the last possible moment is a recipe for disaster.

New Orleans, more than most cities, needs to take greater precautions because the cost is so dear. That means dealing with the possibility of some "unnecessary" evacuations. It's an inconvenience, it's a financial burden, but it's the only way to avert the possibility of high casualties.

[kestrel91316]

10. How are they evacuating the 30% with no cars????

Does the mayor have a viable plan for how to do this??? They had better get a move on, because Katrina is going to lay the city waste.

If they all head out now on foot maybe they could make it to Baton Rouge by the time she makes landfall. Let's see, 3 mph x 20 hours makes 60 miles. Oops, what about the frail, elderly, disabled, ill, infants and toddlers??

[HeeBGBz]

13. They are only going to open the Superdome, if things get extreme.

Like if it starts going underwater. Otherwise, its just for "special needs". They said if you show up you will find locked doors. I heard them say that earlier. Haven't heard what the po' folks are doing.

[Boomer]

19. The Superdome is the LAST place I'd want to be...

...if things get "extreme."



Look at that thing! It's one big glass target. Would you want to be inside that thing as debris traveling 170+mph was slammed into the roof?

I'll take a stone cathedral over a crystal ball, thank you very much.

[don954]

21. I just had Katrina for a house guest, when she hadnt grown up yet.

And everyone around is agreeing that we ( the city ) should have made better prep. If this thing hits N.O. with a class 4, the city is going to be in big trouble.

[Boomer]

24. Caught everyone by surprise, didn't it?

I've been surprised by the degree of damage that resulted from "only" a Category 1.

I think the human mind keeps trying to downsize threats to make them more emotionally manageable. but, course, there is no "only" where hurricanes are concerned.

And there are also all those other factors that don't show up on the Saffir-Simpson scale for wind speed, like whether the ocean waters are at low or high tide, how fast it is moving, how big it is. A small, fast-moving Cat 2 probably won't be as damaging as a wide, slow-moving Cat 1 that dumps tons more water on water-logged areas, for example.

[Al-CIAda]

22. Correction, there is not glass on the roof -it is regular solid

construction.

Nagan is all in all, a good mayor...we know the drill.

I do however appreciate the concern and thank all who are.

[Boomer]

23. Whew!

Looked like glass as first glance.

We're worried, but sending good thoughts your way. Everyone take good care of yourselves over the next few days.

[kittykitty]

69. It looks a little low.....wouldn't it flood?? Better n a taller building?

[theHandpuppet]

15. Yes, that's what I'm wondering, too

Which is why I'm so #@*&## pissed off at that NO mayor. At the very least he should order a mandatory evacuation of folks in nursing homes, shelters, etc.

[Ripley]

18. Do you know for a fact he hasn't done that?

NO is well aware of this impending possible disaster. I say possible, even tho it probably will happen, because storms have shifted dramatically. Remember Charlie last year? He was supposed to wipe out Tampa Bay. Never hit there.

I'm sure they have emergency systems in action now evacuating vulnerable people now.

Calm down.

[Boomer]

20. Didn't happen last time, so don't worry

>> Remember Charlie last year? He was supposed to wipe out Tampa Bay. Never hit there. <<

No, a direct hit is not a sure thing. Yes, there will be "unnecessary" evacuations in any given hurricane season. And unfortunately, those experiences create a false sense of complacency.

And people will use any excuse to avoid an inconvenient, often even burdensome and costly evacuation. It's human nature to avoid the possibility of bad news.

But the cost of miscalculation is enormouse for New Orleans, more so than for Tampa Bay. NO is below sea level and surrounded by water. Evacuation routes are few and easily disrupted by increasing bad weather. Some roads flood well in advance of actual landfall, further restricting escape routes.

>> I'm sure they have emergency systems in action now evacuating vulnerable people now. <<

I'm a bit more cynical about that statement. Those people should already be out of the city, they should have left days ago. But, quite frankly, I doubt any city can afford to do that until there is simply no doubt it is necessary. At which point it is already too late.

[Ripley]

25. They should have left days ago?

Um, have you thought about that statement? Who should have left days ago?? The people who live and work in NO? So, when a hurricane was in Miami the poor people of NO should have .. gone where?

Believe me I want no one to die and the city or whomever to help evacuate those who need the help. But sometimes yall give unreasonable answers.

[markus]

28. The NHC was still putting the storm in the Florida panhandle last nite

when I called my mom after seeing Maddy McCall's post of a model aggregate map, which put the storm on it's current track.

Given the fact that the serious WX guys would want to see two model runs to confirm the change, it would have been irresponsible to call for evacuation before sometime today.

But I understand people have been leaving steadily today, on reversed (one-way) highways.

The poor people will do what poor people have always done in hurricane. Tack whatever wood they have to the windows, and hope for the best.

They tend to live in the more flood prone neighborhoods as well.

Again, Ripley, I'm not trying to be alarmist. But this is my natal place where I have family and a lot of friends and this looks and awful lot like The Big One, and it scares the hell out of me.

[Boomer]

33. Hey, I admitted it was unreasonable!

In an ideal universe of strong organization and unlimited resources, the elderly, infirm and poor should have been calmly evacuated by Friday or Saturday morning. Then all the able-bodied with access to autos could begin their own evacuation.

But who has that kind of money and city resources? No place that I know of. Which is, of course, the Catch-22 of these emergencies. They can't be ordered until the last moment, when there's little or no doubt an area is in danger. And by that point, the evacuation is harder to mount and easier to disrupt.

If all goes well, 24 hours may work. But all it takes are one or two bad accidents on a highway to shut down routes. The "worst case" scenario is what emergency planning is all about.

For what it's worth, I just heard on the news that it's been something like 90 years since there have been 3 major hurricanes in the Gulf in one season. We're returning to the monster storm activity of the late 1800s and early 1900s. And those storms hit when there was only a fraction of the population and urban development along the coastal regions. So this time around we're more vulnerable.

Which means dozens of mayors are going to face this crisis every year. And face the balancing act of acting too soon versus too late. I don't envy them that judgment call.

[Ripley]

52. Yep to your last statement, however....evacuate days ago?

Who? Where? When?

I am quite aware of all the facts and so are the people who live in these areas that are going to be hit.

You said folks should have left days ago, and that is just um, weird.

Why are you feeling the need to explain things to me?

[Boomer]

53. Ooops, sorry, time slip

I was leaping forward in time, thinking of the "I'll decide on Sunday morning" statement of the NO mayor. At which point, to my consternation, the evacuation should already have been ordered several days previously, like Friday.

But, as I confessed, I always tend to assume the worst and want to prepare for the eventuality. And pratically speaking, most people aren't going to buy that approach. They prefer to assume the best until proven otherwise.

[Spangle]

29. I can think of reasons for not doing a Mandatory evacuation to soon!

There are several reasons for NOT doing a mandatory evacuation right now. They are doing this thing in phases. If everyone left at once.. everyone would be STUCK on the roads.

Information and Education is the key right now. The scare last year should have at least made people in the AREA aware of the dangor. And that includes the need for MANY to evacuate early...

Some people have already left. Some are leaving now. Some are leaving in the morning.

As for telling people about the locked doors. They have GOT to encourage everyone who has the ablity to leave.. to LEAVE. Other wise, many will just plan on using the "safe place" for the few.. for themselfs. There will NOT be enough room.

Same thing about busing people out. IF they are going to plan on doing that.. And anounce it now.. same thing. So many seats... If people THINK there will be a bus for those left behind.. they are less likely to bring along "extra" people that might not really want around.

People have got to help themselfs and their neighbors and friends first.

Basicly, NO is under mandatory evacuation. It's being talked about.. the need of evacuation is being talked about. And everyone understands the WHY. But once it becomes offical... People will panic. Then you have problems.

The point is to save as many people as possible. If putting out a mandatory evacauation right now puts people in a panic, causes accidents, etc.... it will not be effective.

Then there is the legal issues, etc. If this monseter turns... OUCH, for the Mayor.

As for nursing homes, etc. Those places are legaly responsible for their patients. While there may not be a mandatory evacuation... They have been warned. They should have all ready been making plans. Such an issue should all ready have been pre-planned.

[cdsilv]

30. This far out from landfall.....

... hurricanes can change course. That said, if I lived in a below-sea level 'bowl', I'd be bugging out. I'm in P'cola, above all but Cat 5 surge levels and have lived on the 'hurricane coast' for awhile.

I'm staying put, but if I was in NO, I'd already be in Houston, or probably Crawford (gotta go somewhere, might as well do some good...).

[HeeBGBz]

32. Last report is shifting a bit east

Towards the Ms/LA line, I think. Should know more at 10.

[Boomer]

39. One person's caution is another person's panic

I tend to err on the side of caution, a tendency some people seem to think is akin to panic. Funny, because I see it as exactly the opposite. If I'm cautious I won't need to panic later!

Yeah, I would have left the city on Friday and been thankful the weekend timing kept me from losing a day's vacation from work. No way, no how would I expect everyone to be able to do that, but having as many people as possible leave early means fewer problems for the remaining population.

I remember a friend of mine who lived on Padre Island, near Corpus Christi, who decided it would be fun to ride out a hurricane and refused to evacuate. Fortunately, she survived to tell the tale -- said she'd never been so scared in her life and it was probably the stupidest thing she had ever done. That story made a BIG impression on me, and ever since that time I've fought the tendency to be complacent about danger.

All it takes is one careless moment. Like the one time I drove my car into rising water because it was just "a little creek". I made it out the other side, after a few heart-stopping moments of my car sputtering, and realized that I had just done something REALLY REALLY STUPID and lived to tell the tale. Hope to God I never do that again.

[steve2470]

27. I hope the people partying on Bourbon Street survive, honestly nt

[Individualist]

36. I expressed dismay

in the DU Lounge about people still partying on Bourbon St., and this reply was posted: www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=3925450&mesg_id=3927818

Have you heard anything about people being unable to evacuate?

[steve2470]

37. Hmm guess the point of your post was missed there nt

[fishnfla]

31. NOAA's 10 pm forecast aint out (10:30)

them forecasters be having some discussion, no doubt


lives on the line

[QC]

34. 10:00 central.

Believe me, I'm eagerly awaiting that one. We seem to have dodged the bullet yet again here in the Panhandle, but yesterday afternoon they were forecasting that the storm would pass right over my county, so I'm still feeling a bit cautious.

[markus]

35. See page 29 of this analysis on on Betsy

Intresting (to a guy who lived through Betsy but is sitting in Fargo, ND at the moment).

Notice the red areas right up against the eastern edge of the city. Notice also that these graphs are in metric.

Shit, shit, shit.

http://www.nd.edu/~adcirc/pubs/westerinketal_bams_ref1935b.pdf

[steve2470]

How far inland do NOLA folks have to go to beat the storm surge ?

Just curious.

[Endangered Specie]

55. From what I know...

Pretty much anything thats very sturdy (hotel) thats a good 20-30 feet above sea level. However I dont think thats the main problem.


The main problem consists of getting out of NO, after that you are in the clear... There are only three roads out, and two of them consist of driving over 6 or 24 mile long bridges!

heres a evac map:

[geomon666]

57. If the surge busts the levees...there's nowhere you can go.

Except out of the city entirely of course.

[Endangered Specie]

60. IIRC no part of new orleans is more than say 5 feet above sealevel?

and most of that actually being <0 feet.

[carlvs]

38. On a side note,

here is something that I just came across on a http://www.wunderground.com/blog/SteveGregory/show.html">blog over on the Weather Underground site:

Hurricane Katrina is heading for 'Prime Oil Producing Real Estate' in the north central Gulf.
Unless the forecasts prove very wrong (as in landfall 250 miles to the east, or the storm is much weaker) -- Oil prices
will jump tremendously on Monday. Last year IVAN took out fully 6% of the entire U.S. annual Production of oil
and a fair amount of this years record high prices has to do with the 'threat' of another IVAN. On Friday, the 'market
thought' Katrina would be a CAT 2 in the Florida Panhandle - and priced oil accordingly. If Katrina 'stays on course',
prices will jump $3-$5 per barrel Monday morning. Further increases to $75/bbl may follow Tuesday if there are reports
of serious infrastructure damage on par with that done last year by IVAN - by far the most expensive hurricane to affect
the U.S. oil producing industry.

If this is the case, EVERONE is in some was going to feel the effects of this storm...

P.S.: I just heard on the Weather Chanel that NOAA has changed the Hurricane Watches for that area into Warnings...

[steve2470]

40. Emerigency officials are strongly urging people to leave tonight

per male reporter on WWL TV.

[steve2470]

41. ok advisory posted, see my thread in GD nt

[HeeBGBz]

42. Crap. N.O. mayor just verified the 175 gust thing

Talking about a very serious warning from the hurricane center talking about 20-25 ft. storm surge.

My son just called and wants me to come stay with him.

He's in a brick building, but closer to water than I am. I am in a higher ground spot, but not in a brick house. I would rather be with some family than by myself, but hate the thought of leaving my house unattended and unprotected.

I will make the decision tomorrow, after I see what my other young'un plans to do.

[Corgigal]

44. get your son to come to you

then lie and move another hour inside.

Our home is 25 miles inland when Hugo hit, a Cat 4. Every house lost their roof and trees down everywhere. If you even get chest pain from the sound of the winds, you can't call anyone. You do understand that? There is no one to help you when it begins. No one responds, No EMS, police..no one.

This area hit the roads now. We don't wait for the Governor to call it. We learned.

[MidnightWind]

47. Tell me about it. Hugo kicked the collective asses of

Charlotte, NC, some 175 miles from Hugo's initial landfall area. I cannot stress strongly enough how much damage these massive storms can do, and how far inland they can still wreck havoc. Many areas of both South and North Carolina were without power for WEEKS, not days. And damn straight-we don't wait for the governor to tell us to scram-we get a head start. Better safe than sorry, and the sad truth is that in the path of a monster like this one-no one is truly safe.

[geomon666]

48. To this day...

There are still baren plots of land where houses once stood before Andrew (a CAT 5) blew them away. I remember it like it was yesterday still. We were without power for 6 weeks.

[HeeBGBz]

82. Same thing with Camille

Still steps leading up to empty lots. That was in 1969.

[jonnyblitz]

50. i was in charlston , south carolina visiting a navy friend in the late

80's (i think 1989) who was stationed there a few weeks after some major hurricane had hit. was that hugo? all i know is that place was a friggen MESS!!

[Lorien]

72. LISTEN TO CORGIGAL

Please, PLEASE get out of harms way! Those of us who have lived through these storms can't possibly express just how severe the situation can be. DON'T think that you can "protect" your property by riding it out. You'll be helpless, and EMS won't be able to come to your aid (no vehicles down my street for weeks after Charley-too many downed trees and debris). Pack up your family, pets, medications and important papers and GO NOW!!!

[Bluebear]

45. Maybe you should ALL vamoose together

Road trip!

[theHandpuppet]

59. You NEED TO EVACUATE

All of you. Get out of NO.

[Lorien]

76. Get the fuck out of there. Both of you

sorry to sound so harsh, but this is far to serious for soft suggestions. I was more than 80 miles inland when my home was struck by Charley last year, and my neighborhood was fairly devastated. This is FAR, FAR WORSE. These winds can level a building-even a brick one. I've cleaned up after a category 5 tornado, and all that was left of some homes were the front steps. The water in Katrina's case will be a huge issue; what will you do if the home starts to come down and your only choice is to dive into flood waters? And how do you intend to "protect" your property?

Let me tell you what a few hours in a hurricane are like; The pressure drops so fast that your ears keep popping. The roar of the winds will strip your nerves bare. The pressure pushes ALL the walls of your home inward,the floors and roof bow in. Air rushes in through the cracks like a hairdryer set on high. The earth shakes violently from the crashing of hundred year old oak trees.Flashes of light and explostion continue until every transformer is blown, and you are left in complete darkness. You can't move from your center rooms because debris can fly through your window at any moment-and this goes on for HOURS! Our winds were 95mph, with gusts from 113-115mph-NOWHERE near as bad as what you are facing. Don't screw around. Get out in the am tomorrow PLEASE!!!

[steve2470]

43. Just saw the New Orleans mayor on TV

He got scared by the NHC director's advice to do mandatory evacs. He was serious as a heart attack, and used the phrase "the big one".

[Bluebear]

46. OT the first newcaster that uses "Katrina and the Waves" gets a black eye

[Boomer]

49. I had to Google that...

... to figure out what the heck you were talking about.

Growing old sucks.

[merh]

51. Did you see this image?

She is a big mother!!! And her pressure is dropping - very bad sign. :scared:

[geomon666]

54. Louisianans Rushing to Dodge Hurricane

http://ap.wwltv.com/dynamic/stories/T/TROPICAL_WEATHER?SITE=WWL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=USHEADS.html&CTIME=2005-08-27-18-59-09

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Coastal residents jammed freeways and gas stations Saturday as they frantically rushed to get out of the way of Hurricane Katrina, a vicious storm that could make a direct hit on New Orleans and submerge the low-lying city in nearly 20 feet of water.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a test. This is the real deal," New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin said. "Board up your homes, make sure you have enough medicine, make sure the car has enough gas. Do all things you normally do for a hurricane but treat this one differently because it is pointed towards New Orleans."

Katrina was a Category 3 storm with 115 mph sustained wind Saturday, but the National Hurricane Center said it was likely to gain force over the Gulf of Mexico, where surface water temperature as high as 90 degrees is high-octane fuel for hurricanes. It could become a Category 4 monster before striking the coast early Monday.

...

Nagin said he spoke to a forecaster at the hurricane center who told him that "this is the storm New Orleans has feared these many years." Nagin was exploring the idea of ordering a mandatory evacuation.

Making matters worse, at least 100,000 people in the city lack the transportation to get out of town. Nagin said the Superdome could be used as a shelter of last resort for people who have no cars, with city bus pick-up points around New Orleans.

"I know they're saying `Get out of town,' but I don't have any way to get out," said Hattie Johns, 74. "If you don't have no money, you can't go."

[Al-CIAda]

56. Local news is now in 'scare the shit out of you' mode.

'The big one', nighmare scenario, the levee may not hold....

FYI- Inside info, If it gets bad enough, they may dynamite the levee and flood the lower bank to save the city. Wild.

[steve2470]

58. They would really do that ? nt

[Horse with no Name]

61. Are you going to be up during the night with updates?

I, for one, have appreciated your updates and information.
This looks to be very scary.

[steve2470]

63. No, I'm going to go to bed in a while lol

Thank you kindly though :-)

[Al-CIAda]

64. Oh yes...its always a hidden subject...

The plan first leaked out in the 60s. They blow the levee intentionally as a last effort so that the city isn't flooded -but everything below is a gonner.

[geomon666]

62. I don't see how that would get rid of the flood waters in the city.

It would flow in but how is going to flow back out?

[Boomer]

67. Slight technical difficulties

The pumps that suck water out of the area would be inoperative if they were submerged. So restoring the city would be difficult.

Best estimates I've read is that it would take 6 months to pump out the water. Six months of submersion in a toxic stew of water, sewage and chemical waste.

Not sure what would be worth salvaging once it was uncovered again.

[carlvs]

84. What do you expect from a 9/11 CTer?

They tend to ignore basic scientific principles (like water flows to the lowest point, i.e. most of New Orleans...)

[steve2470]

65. If anyone is in denial about NO being struck, this chart will shatter it

[Feron]

71. No doubt New Orleans will get part of the hurricane..

However computer models and predictions often change hourly and the storms themselves are unpredictable. Remember that Georges and Ivan were supposed to be the "Big Ones" for New Orleans as well and they turned at the last minute.

Hopefully Katrina will do the same and at least have the eye make landfall in Mississippi. I don't wish the storm on anyone, but I can't bear the thought of losing New Orleans.

Typically these storms veer to the east as they approach the city, so we will see. Fingers and toes crossed. It all depends on that turn the storm makes tomorrow.

[geomon666]

74. The best NO can hope for now, is for the storm to slow down.

If it stays at the same speed, it will hit NO, no doubt about it. If it slows down, the weather conditions change, the track shifts. That's why it hit me instead of staying north like it was 'supposed' to do.

[geomon666]

66. Interstate 55 and Interstate 59 are both now completely Northbound

All lanes are now flowing North. Announcement for mandatory evacuation isn't far off now.

[Endangered Specie]

68. Hmm I wonder how they convert the ramps and exits

to accomidate backward traffic.. :curious: I bet thats gotta feel real weird to drive on the the wrong side of a highway.

[Boomer]

70. Mayor has moved up his timetable

>> Announcement for mandatory evacuation isn't far off now. <<

When I heard earlier reports that the mayor was going to wait until Sunday morning to make a decision, I have to admit my reaction was "Wtf!" Evidently I wasn't the only one, because he was prodded into responding earlier by some frantic phone calls from weather people.

He may be a good mayor, as noted by some DUers, and he is definitely making a difficult decision, but I think he's waited too long. Ordering mandatory evacuation late Saturday night has lost valuable daylight time. Many people won't even get the news until tomorrow morning when they wake up.

[Endangered Specie]

75. I was listening and they said something about

how he cant (legally) order a mandatory at night :shrug:

[geomon666]

73. Water Vapor image

Looks like the first feeder bands should hit Louisiana sometime in the early morning.

[geomon666]

77. I can't believe what I've just heard on TWC.

A reporter said some storm shelters in NO were advising people not to stay there and go further north.

[Bluebear]

78. I heard that earlier.

The commentator was saying you can't rely on these storm shelters as in a 'regular' storm because they may be totally underwater. :scared:

[steve2470]

79. Sounds like good advice from what I'm hearing nt

[geomon666]

80. TWC saying the NHC will be announcing a CAT 4 for Katrina soon.

Just heard on the tv.

[Pithy Cherub]

81. Now at 145 MPH winds according to the TWC

they said that was what the 2am EST advisory would say...it's still strengthening.

[markus]

83. If it's a high C4 at 2 am, then it may come ashore as a 5

145 mph is not that much below Cat 5 (155).

This is Hurricane Betsy, at a minimum.

The levees (at least along the lakefront) were raised after Betsy (pissing off the people who lost their second story view of the lake in some very expensive real estate in Lake Vista).


I know the water reached the very top of the pre-Betsy levees. (I lived on the Robert E Lee side of LV, and walked the lakefront as soon as we got home, and there was debris right up to the top of the levees.