Then, and Now
Just about 3 years ago, a huge storm was bearing down on just about the same part of the Gulf Coast that is targeted now.
Three years ago, some people left, many took precautions but planned to "ride it out", and others... didn't even pay attention to what was going on.
Lest you think I'm kidding...I know several people who, until I mentioned the hurricane today, didn't know one was coming. They'd not been watching the news. I hope I got them to pay attention today.
Last time, the cities had "hurricane plans", but they weren't really serious about things. It looked good on paper.
This year, New Orleans has a mandatory evacuation, with buses, trains and airplanes lifting out special needs residents and those with no other transportation. The announcement was made that, should anyone wish to stay behind, there would be NO help available. None. It's either leave, or fend for yourself. (It's a rather Darwinian selection process there, isn't it?) This time, the residents are NOT leaving their pets behind. There is room on the bus for all members of the family.
There is at least one town in Texas that is evacuating and people are being told that even 911 will be turned off, as EVERYONE is evacuating.
Houston and Houstonians are preparing to receive about 45,000 Louisianan residents. Last time, with not much prior notice, Houston took in about 250,000 people in one weekend. Things are better organized this year, I hope.
We might get some rain from Gustav, as it's supposed to take a southerly hook and then stall for a while over some part of Texas. You never know though. We're still more than two days to landfall, at the earliest, and things can change awfully fast.
Oh, and there's another storm out there, it looked, for a time, as if were just going to follow Gustav in, like a pesky little sister tagging along after a bigger brother. But, instead, it looks like Florida might get a little more rain--which, it does. not. need. just now.
Happy Labor Day, y'all.
Three years ago, some people left, many took precautions but planned to "ride it out", and others... didn't even pay attention to what was going on.
Lest you think I'm kidding...I know several people who, until I mentioned the hurricane today, didn't know one was coming. They'd not been watching the news. I hope I got them to pay attention today.
Last time, the cities had "hurricane plans", but they weren't really serious about things. It looked good on paper.
This year, New Orleans has a mandatory evacuation, with buses, trains and airplanes lifting out special needs residents and those with no other transportation. The announcement was made that, should anyone wish to stay behind, there would be NO help available. None. It's either leave, or fend for yourself. (It's a rather Darwinian selection process there, isn't it?) This time, the residents are NOT leaving their pets behind. There is room on the bus for all members of the family.
There is at least one town in Texas that is evacuating and people are being told that even 911 will be turned off, as EVERYONE is evacuating.
Houston and Houstonians are preparing to receive about 45,000 Louisianan residents. Last time, with not much prior notice, Houston took in about 250,000 people in one weekend. Things are better organized this year, I hope.
We might get some rain from Gustav, as it's supposed to take a southerly hook and then stall for a while over some part of Texas. You never know though. We're still more than two days to landfall, at the earliest, and things can change awfully fast.
Oh, and there's another storm out there, it looked, for a time, as if were just going to follow Gustav in, like a pesky little sister tagging along after a bigger brother. But, instead, it looks like Florida might get a little more rain--which, it does. not. need. just now.
Happy Labor Day, y'all.
Labels: hurricanes, tropical storms
posted by Nancy at 10:09 PM
3 Comments:
Dear Nancy
I'm feeling very anxious on all your behalfs.
We(in my immediate family)were tremendously impressed by the way people outside the hurricane areas opened their homes and their churches and offered a welcome when the last huge hurricane struck.
In England, we moan on about the weather all the time (and last summer there was serious flooding in many places) but we don't have to face challenges from nature on the scale that people in the USA have to.
Best Wishes . . . and I do hope that 'hook' doesn't sweep round to where you live.
Lucy
Gosh, this is a scary storm!! I hate to see New Orleans get hit again, but I sure hope it doesn't change course and head toward Houston. I am glad that people are getting out of N.O. and the pets are going with them. I know you and Pup have a lot of sense and you'll do what you have to do to keep yourselves and your pets safe. Good luck!
You better be safe! We could use some rain here. It's too bad there isn't a happy medium.
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