Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New Orleanians join Cajun Navy: 'It can get treacherous real quick'
NOLA.com | ^ | 08/16/216 | Chelsea Brasted, The Times-Picayune

Posted on 08/17/2016 9:39:50 PM PDT by BenLurkin

Using just two airboats, Spinato and his team of five friends and employees of Ultimate Swamp Tours saved nearly 600 people who were stranded in Baton Rouge homes as the waters of the Louisiana Flood of 2016 rose around their feet. But on Monday, one of those boats went out for search and recovery.

...

The Westwego businessman was just one of hundreds who volunteered time, supplies and boats to help fill out the so-called Cajun Navy to support law enforcement and official first-responders as they transported stranded residents to dry land. Navigating unfamiliar streets-turned-waterways was just one of the difficulties they faced.

"You don't have a lot of time to think about it. You just do what you got to do," Spinato said. "You see what's in front of you, and you handle one thing at a time."

Volunteer fishermen and duck hunters — and their boats — began showing up as soon as it became clear that residents would need a lift. Frank Relle, a New Orleans photographer, hitched his boat to his trailer as soon as he saw the need was there.

"I thought yeah, you need as many boats as you can get up there," he said.

But the situation once he arrived was a difficult one to navigate in more ways than one.

"When you're going to an area that's inundated with floodwater, there's no boat launch, and there's no clear way if you're not familiar with roads in the area. ... There's no cell service, so your ability to to coordinate your location on a road you can't see signs on and navigate to an address that you can't see street signs on — it's a very difficult thing to do," Relle said.

(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

1 posted on 08/17/2016 9:39:50 PM PDT by BenLurkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Where’s Obama?

Where’s the national media?


2 posted on 08/18/2016 12:18:56 AM PDT by TigerClaws
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws
I found *them*. BARF ALEERT


3 posted on 08/18/2016 12:33:04 AM PDT by Daffynition
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

4 posted on 08/18/2016 12:35:35 AM PDT by Daffynition
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Daffynition

One fortunate thing we are blessed with here on Lake Charlevoix, on northern Lake Michigan is the distinct lack of flooding here ever. we are about 635 ft. above sea level, and I am about 10 ft. above our lake. We have no wild fires. No mud slides. No earthquakes, no tornadoes to speak of, with the exception of a water spout or two very occasionally, and no droughts. It’s almost Heaven on Earth here, climatologically-wise. I feel sorry for the people down south.


5 posted on 08/18/2016 1:23:26 AM PDT by gigster (Cogito, Ergo, Ronaldus Magnus Conservatus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Obozo is playing golf, of course.

The Mediascum is sleeping in again, since Shrillary is doing nothing.


6 posted on 08/18/2016 1:26:04 AM PDT by Enchante (Hillary's new campaign slogan: "Guilty as hell, free as a bird!! Laws are for peasants!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Daffynition

bttt


7 posted on 08/18/2016 3:01:03 AM PDT by thinden
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

“Where’s Obama?”.. Absent, well not really, he’s out playing golf and cannot be disturbed.

“Where’s the national media?” Covering his vacation scheduled and taking photo ops.


8 posted on 08/18/2016 4:55:45 AM PDT by DaveA37 (t)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Daffynition

Post #4........

Wish I would have gotten rid of my boat. I would have driven all the way down there to get in that line.


9 posted on 08/18/2016 4:57:15 AM PDT by DaveA37 (t)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Where’s Obama?

Where’s the national media?


If it were Syrians, Obama and the media would be all over it.

I don’t believe the media wanted to make a deal of it because it would disrupt Obama’s vacation. The democrats decide what is news.


10 posted on 08/18/2016 4:59:10 AM PDT by boycott (--s)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: gigster

True but the Winters suck.


11 posted on 08/18/2016 5:08:16 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Poo poo the polls at Trump's peril.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

If people didn’t build their houses in rivers, their houses would stay dry.


12 posted on 08/18/2016 5:09:19 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TigerClaws

Don’t want them.


13 posted on 08/18/2016 5:25:14 AM PDT by Romulus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Daffynition

Looks like a bass fishin’ tournament to me......


14 posted on 08/18/2016 5:28:57 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (If only Hillary had married OJ instead......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Arthur McGowan

What rivers, Arthur? Are you sure you know what’s going on here? Would you like to imagine what 24 inches of rain can do to places that have never flooded before? One percent of my entire state is homeless right now. Please lay off.


15 posted on 08/18/2016 5:30:07 AM PDT by Romulus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: gigster

Which end of the lake? Charlevoix, BC or in between?


16 posted on 08/18/2016 5:31:26 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (If only Hillary had married OJ instead......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
I'm surprised the "Red Neck Yacht Club" isn't also participating:


17 posted on 08/18/2016 6:00:26 AM PDT by Little Pig
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Romulus; Arthur McGowan
You'd think McGowan in his priestly duties would be offering something
other than criticism at the current time.





18 posted on 08/18/2016 6:14:45 AM PDT by deport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: gigster

I know nothing about water abatement. But it would seem to me, that what with the *Army Corps of Engineers* and our longstanding tradition of water control, this greatest Nation could figure out some way to help these people in the delta, in the future.

We built great canals in the past. The Romans were experts, w/out diesel equipment. Why can’t someone figure out a way to channel the great flood waters toward east Texas, where they need water for irrigation? We know, it’s going to happen again.

Praying for these unfortunate folks.


19 posted on 08/18/2016 1:38:14 PM PDT by Daffynition
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Hot Tabasco; thinden; DaveA37

Louisiana folks are unique; they figure out stuff for themselves, without waiting for the government to step in.

In the Best tradition of red-blooded Americans and the American way. God Bless them and keep them, every one.


20 posted on 08/18/2016 1:45:37 PM PDT by Daffynition
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson