Posted on 09/25/2005 6:14:46 AM PDT by Comstock1
The damage that has hit SW Louisiana and SE Texas is much worse than is being reported by the MSM. While there is very little in the way of a body count, houses and businesses by the hundreds have been destroyed. Entire communities in Cameron Parish have more than likely been erased from the map.
Here is link for some images from SW LA. You'll have to scroll down.
http://forum.lakecharles.com/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/14/t/000023
Look how some of the buildings roof shingles peeled right off where others didn't and some bldings appear to be metal roofs which remained intact too. My cousin told me she was informed metal roofs would peel back like a sardine can in these storms, guess she was informed wrong. Seems the metal roofs stood better than shingled roofs. The two bldings at bottom right look like metal roofs with the ridge capping.
12:30 pm - Vinton Mayor Riggins says the area is devastated. There is no water, ice or food distribution. He urges residents to not come back, that it is a primitive situation. He says, "This is not the same Vinton it was." There are trees in yards, houses and a couple of house fires have been reported.
He says Orange, TX has been hit pretty hard, but communication is difficult. He urges residents to be patient.
In Moss Bluff around the Bellefield area, there are lots of damange. At this point Women's and Children's in Lake Charles is open and taking patients.
Effective Immediately: Christus St. Patrick Hospital will only accept critical emergency needs until further notice.
Well, that answers the question someone had about how Holly Beach had fared. Wow. Gone, apparently. Hope no one stayed behind to ride it out.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/photos/L/LADP11109251608.html?SITE=LAMON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Go here (Holly Beach, LA shot) to see where stilts or no stilts was pretty much irrelevant.
Oh my God. I have been looking for damage reports for Cameron. You would never know there was a hurricane there from watching TV. Looks like total destruction.
I'd say the word obliterated is appropriate for that image.
From a quick look at my American Map 2003 Road Atlas, the town of Cameron had a population of 1,965 (a number that should be from the 2000 census or a later census estimate). Also from looking at that map -- is the town on the Gulf or on the waterway connecting Lake Calcasieu with the Gulf? The dot for the town on my map seems to be more on the waterway.
Shepard Smith must be the only reporter I know who has a "hat boy." When I saw his hat fly away the first time, I thought, oh, well that ones gone. Then, he showed up with another one on minutes later. As he fussed with his hat for another several minutes, that one flew away. But this time as he panned the camera to one side, I noticed the poor Hat-Boy off in the distance chasing down Sheps hat...obviously, again.
Between his slip & fall...and the interview in the middle of the street with blowing winds (which could've been done next to the building without the wind and rain), the theatrics from Shep (and Geraldo) get a little tiring. I've also stopped watching Fox because of these egotistical reporters.
It's devastating for those people who lost homes, businesses and possibly loved ones.
The destruction is so extensive that the photo almost looks blurry with only vague lines of distinction between properties or buildings.
The site where homes once stood in Holly Beach, is shown in this aerial view in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005 in Cameron Parish.
When we bought here in 1993, we had to watch the roofers like hawks to ensure they used 6 nails per shingle vs. 3 or 4 (below code). Even so, with a leafblower you have to take care not to blow up from the bottom or the shingles clearly start lifting up. I imagine a constant 120+ mph wind will do worse than that.
http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/paoweb/katrinasupport/ritainfo.htm
Hurricane Rita info:
Release of employees for September 23, 2005
Due to the severe wheather conditions expected with Hurricane Rita, the Commanding General is temporarily suspending operations until further notice. All non-emergency employees except AAFES employees, Commissary employees and selected MWR facility employees which will be notified by their supervisors should be released from duty without charge to leave or loss of pay, commencing at 1200 hours today. Employees should be directed to listen to local radio and television stations for further information. Time and Attendance instructions will be provided at a later date
AFFES and Commissary closes at 2PM September 23, 2005
No school Friday, Sept 23, in Vernon Parish
Stay tuned to local media for weather information: radio: 93.5, 105.7, television: KALB
No Guardian published Friday due to Lake Charles printer evacuation
Lake Charles Photos
http://www.kplctv.com/Global/category.asp?C=70803
Good Lord!
Fox is now reporting on Vermillion Parish, LA. Looks pretty bad.
Drive along Holly Beach! South of Lake Charles on the Gulf Coast you can drive along the Gulf Coast beach and enjoy a walk among the houses built in a storm-defying style.
Thank you for the link....
To say it is surreal to be experiencing another hurricane in less than a month is an understatement.
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