My granddad grew up in a town south of New Orleans - Ironton (one of those where most everyone is related to each other -- anyone wants to get married, they head across the river to find a spouse). They ride these things out regularly, but I am really afraid on this one. We've got other relatives up in town, and I'm really afraid for them...
Thank you for your prayers,Mogirl. It's bad enough to be a 'target' for a storm without hearing so many- especially in the media- positively SALIVATING at the thought of a direct hit and a major disaster.
N.O. is a poor city, and we are not exactly surrounded by metropolises that could absorb our population. For Ivan people went as far as Memphis and Texas and couldn't find hotel rooms. And those were the people who could afford 5-7 days travel and hotel expenses, so many cannot-myself included.
As someone whose ancestors founded this city , I think it's incredible that a million people are just expected to hit the road EVERY time a storm threatens! That just isn't logistically, or financially, feasible.
It's a terrible thing to sit here and think about your life and everything you own being theatened by weather. And there are many who have NO transportation, nowhere to go and no $$ to stay out of town 5 days or more. How many budgets could take a huge road trip, and hotel expenses every month- or more?
So please- when talking about New Orleans- as 'exciting' as weather is to those who simply study these storms- please remember that LIVES are affected by each one, and the fear and helpless feelings are terrible.