Hurricane Katrina Live Thread, Part III

NHC-NOAA ^ | 27 August 2005 | NHC-NOAA

[snowsislander]

I don't know much about all of this forecasting and whatnot, but I was just looking at the radar, and it looks like there is a lot of bad weather headed south from northern Louisiana.

[Types_with_Fist]

They've dodged so many bullets before. The things have always turned. Usually, in these discussions, others and I always fear the worst -- a direct hit at New Orleans. In the past, others more knowledgeable have pointed out that the storms would go elsewhere. I'm not hearing or seeing that this time and the fact that the governor didn't sound alarmed and the fact that The Quarter is active and that most are not leaving is scary as hell. This... just... isn't... good at all.

[Termite_Commander]

Just heard the mayor on WWL 870 am...no mandatory evacuation, He is "encouraging all to leave and will be a little more forceful in the am"

Be forceful now, ya bonehead! Sheesh.

[Vermonter]

The mayor may have a workable plan. If he told everyone to evacuate now, it might cause major gridlock. He seems to indicate he will take that step in the morning.

[LibSnubber]

"I have a friend there waiting...she has to have her son drive her and he's waiting until tomorrow to see what the storm will do."

If it were me, I'd go now too. But, if it'll help you worry less, everytime they've done one of these evacuations out of N.O. everyone does get out in time. It does take 4 times as long to get where you're going but the highways always seem to empty out in time. Twice we've had family leave at the last minute and both times they told us the highways were nearly empty and that they made record time to our house.

[numberonepal]

That's part of the storm "shadow".

[Termite_Commander]

Oh well.

[rwfromkansas]

DT is refusing to believe it will hit New Orleans.

[juzcuz]

mayor would go ahead & shut everything down
-----

If he does that all Hell will break loose.. The GANGS will rob as many evacuated homes and businesses that time allows. The police have been complaining that they don't have enough man power to patrol the murderous streets even on a normal day.

[nwctwx]

DT doesn't like to budge. ;-)

Calling for a direct NO hit is still a bit gutsy at this point... but, it's going to be close. And they will undoubtedly sustain some damage.

[nwctwx]

I hope they aren't staying put.

[Termite_Commander]

I'm clueless about acronyms; what's DT?

[spectre]

I just heard that since this storm is large, tropical force winds will be on shore by tomorrow evening. Your friend wouldn't want to be driving in that either.

sw

[Tall_Texan]

No studies have ever been done to show if the Superdome can withstand a major hurricane. No study has been done to see if generators in the dome will work in the event of a major hurricane.

There were studies done of the Astrodome in Houston after it was built however the engineers basically agreed that they'd have to see what happens in a real hurricane to be sure. Hurricane Alicia in 1983 passed almost over it with winds estimated at the time to be 70-80 mph and it did not suffer a scratch. The Superdome was built ten years later and looks more sturdy than the Astrodome does - its roof being one solid piece rather than hundreds of light panels. I think it will stand up in a hurricane.

The real worry is water and what happens if/when it begins filling with flood water. Is there a point at which people inside would be cutting themselves off from oxygen? Still, if I couldn't leave New Orleans, I would head for the Dome and find a spot in the upper deck. I'd probably volunteer to assist with all the disabled that would be coming in just to "pay" for staying there.

That's sort of what I did during Alicia. I spent the night in the hospital waiting area and then spent the next day mopping floors (leaks) before going home.

[Dog Gone]

I need to go do something else besides sitting here at the computer further justifying my concern. Very few people, apparently including a lot of New Orleans residents, seem to appreciate the magnitude of what looks like wholesale destruction of the city within a day and a half from now.

It just makes me sick.

This is the storm we've all worried about and they're not taking it seriously.

[LA Woman3]

Have you been on the Huey P. Long? That one is s-c-a-r-y




Yes, only once in our Expedition. That was enough for me!

[RobFromGa]

That's Acme Oyster House, great spot.

[LA Woman3]

I hate all bridges, especially the tall ones and avoid them whenever I can. There is a fairly common condition called "gephyrophobia" (inordinate fear of bridges) which I may actually have. Whenever I cross a bridge, I get a very anxious feeling. Nothing to do with the hurricane.



You must love living in Louisiana....we have our share of bridges!

[Strategerist]

Simply being round is an enormous help; in Charley houses that were normally constructed in every way...but were simply round...survived totally undamaged while every home around them lost their roofs.

[Tall_Texan]

DT is refusing to believe it will hit New Orleans.

I've seen these storms slide (usually to the east) as they approach landfall which might spare New Orleans from a direct hit and cause the Mississippi coast to bear the brunt of it.

The trouble for New Orleans is that a near miss on that side blows water from Lake Ponchitrain into the city instead.