Another hurricane post

[nolawitch58]

Whatever happens, there are people across the planet suffering far worse than we will suffer. They will have died by random violence and not had the luxury of preparing provisions to make their suffering easier.

I spoke with the daughter of my elderly neighbors. She told me that the last time this area flooded was 1947 before they had the levees in place out here. They're not leaving and they're in their eighties. Even if we left right now, we'd be caught in the wind and rain in the car with four unhappy cats on the way to nowhere close that would be immune from the effects of the storm. It's a HUGE thing.

The crazy neighbor guy with the beagle is staying. Pat across the street is staying. I spoke to them and we all have a mutual support pact for afterwards. I've got a bunch of food cooked which can be eaten cold. In a couple of hours, we'll take showers and then fill the bathtub with water for flushing the toilet. I've got jugs of water in the fridge. We have ice. We have plenty of cat food and kitty litter.

The outer feeder bands are starting to roll in. I'll post updates as often as I can before the electricity goes off. Some of you whom I know in person, I love dearly. Some of you whom I've never met in real life, I love you too and look forward to the day we'll slink into some bar or coffee shop to hang out and chat in person. If I can't get back online for a while, I'll let either lab_rattus, goddessmusings or aestrearaven know what's going on with me via their cell phones. Check their journals for post-electrical blackout updates.

Comments

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

We'll be drinking to our health in person in a few weeks.

[mcnutcase.livejournal.com]

Survival.

You're too damn cool for any hurricane to kill. See you on the other side of it.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Hey, others have survived worse and I'm too damned obnoxious to kill. It might get very uncomfortable for a while, but it's certainly not going to be worse than sitting in a foxhole in Iraq.

[celticess.livejournal.com]

*hugs* May the goddess keep you safe my friend.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

She knows I'm down here. I've been calling Her all day since yesterday.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Sieldan said we could come up there, but they'll get a fuckload of wind and rain themselves due to the storm's track. Everyone left in this neighborhood is about to find out if we're really good neighbors or not.

[entheos93.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

You too, baby. I hope the Superdome isn't too horribly noisy and smelly after a few days.

*Hugs*

[salegamine.livejournal.com]

Be safe!
That's an order!

Re: *Hugs*

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

I'll try. You'll hear either from me or about me eventually.

[fakiiri.livejournal.com]

Good luck and keep safe.

I just watched news from tv and everyone were told to leave the city. I hope you know what you're doing.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Hey, people couldn't leave back in the old days and they somehow survived. I would hope I'm not so soft from years of cushy office work that my peasant genetics won't kick in and toughen me up.

Time to see what you can do with a skateboard and a bed sheet.....

[pecosdave.livejournal.com]

oh, nevermind, thats what I would be doing.

Re: Time to see what you can do with a skateboard and a bed sheet.....

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

lab_rattus offered to leave us her surf board and boogie board to play on. I've got duct tape, food rations and books to quell the boredom. We'll see how bored I can get.

Everybody and their cat has been calling me all day to tell me I'm insane. Fair enough. If they can come after me with the butterfly nets when the storm has passed, they can toss me into the psych ward.

Who is the baddest bitch?

[slamlander.livejournal.com]

Katrina or you?

;)

Take care and goddess speed. I hear that she's blowin' really bad girl. A Cat 4 ain't a picnic and NOLA hasn't been tested in quite a while. Now this would be a bad time to find out that Bubba mayor's brother-in-law has been spending the storm system maintenance money on the horses instead of the maintenance.

{{{NOLAwitch}}}

Re: Who is the baddest bitch?

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Uh huh! We're going to find out the answer to that question.

It's funny. I've been getting the usual hassle. I've pointed out that it will be a throbbing hemorrhoid to leave, a pain to be elsewhere wondering what's happening here and a throbbing hemorrhoid to get back. Why travel? Stay put and have the throbbing hemorrhoid all in one place.

[loosechanj.livejournal.com]

It's gonna be mean and nasty. But at least it won't be radioactive afterwards.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

You are so right. It will only be hot and smelly.

[chaotic-lady.livejournal.com]

Good luck!
I hope you stay safe.

Oh bummer.

[real-skeptic.livejournal.com]

After listening half the afternoon to Katrina updates on all the international news channels, I was really really hoping you took off in time. If there's any place I wouldn't want to be in a cat 5+ storm it's a coastal town in a lower-than-sea-level valley protected by two measly levees which are supposed to protect you from water pressure, not from hell.

At times like this I really wish I had something to pray to.

All I can do is wish you safety, together with your man and your cats. I'll keep an eye on those diaries. To believe the news, it's going to be several days now, if not a couple of weeks, before they can restore the facilities after the storm. I hope you really have enough supplies and that you don't live in the lowest part of town. I hope your house is strong and your roof is solid.

{{{nolawitch}}}

Is it too windy to hop on your broom and take off with the cats?

[nin-wife.livejournal.com]

You know, we have never met in person but I have knots in my stomach worrying about you now. You might want to put some pillows or a mattress in your bathroom or whatever you designated as a safe place. Just in case something breaks open and you have debris.

One of my coworkers was from St. Croix and she told me about growing up to Hugo and other major storms passing over the island. She said they would open two windows on each side of the house to equalize the pressure so the windows wouldn't blow out. I am assuming that Crujan buildings don't have pressure codes like we have in Florida. But I digress.... If those islanders can handle winds in their little hut houses, then so can you guys. But keep an eye on your roof just the same. I am assuming you are on high enough ground that the storm surge and extreme rain won't be a problem.

Parts of Charlotte and Polk County Florida were without electricity for over a month after Charley, Frances, and Jeanne hit. Let us know if you find yourself low on batteries, candles, tarps, bottle water, or canned goods and the stores aren't stocking up fast enough (we had so many shortages last year it was crazy). We have plenty in our kit that we will be happy to send you. Just know that Jason and I will be thinking of you for the next 48 hours. See you on the other side gal!

Re: Is it too windy to hop on your broom and take off with the cats?

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Those cats would have me shredded to hamburger in no time. They don't like car trips, so a broom ride would blow their little furry minds.

I've got provisions. I've got bedding. I've got everything ready to the extent that I can. I'm lucky in that a supermarket is four blocks from my house and I can be one of the first in line to replenish my pantry when they reopen.

Thanks for your good vibes and kind offers. See you when the power comes back on!

[thewrongcrowd.livejournal.com]

Can't blame ya'll for tryin' to ride her out, but be as safe as possible. An remember there will be tornadoes, as well, so have a place to stay away from blowing glass, etc. Let us all know if there's something you need after the first phase is over. I'll be thinking cool-air thoughts and sending them your way.

Goddess keep you safe.

Please stay safe and dry.

[thenea.livejournal.com]

Let us know as soon as you can that you and your household are okay.

Re: Please stay safe and dry.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

I will call lab_rattus and let her know as soon as the worst is over if we still have phone service. She will update her LJ with details. I've also emailed that nut ideur to give him her cell phone number. I haven't received an acknowledgement yet that he's gotten it. I hope to hell he checks his email before the power goes out.

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, and don't get hurt.

[atlanta-joe.livejournal.com]

Hi NOLAwitch, this is "inittab" from UF...

I've been thinking about calling you all day, to wish you good luck,
but there are already dozens of people calling... and most of your
preparations seem taken care of already, since you two are determined
to ride out the storm at home.

I AM glad that you at least have some other friends/neighbors who will
be looking out for each other.

Many of the preparations you talked about include food & fresh water.
this is good- but I'm not sure about your elevation at home...
Even if the CAT5 doesn't tear your building apart, what happens if the
storm surge goes 4 feet above the sea wall, or worse, knocks sections down?

Check on the internet, looking for TOPOLOGY maps, to show your elevation,
not just street maps showing how far from the coastline you sit. One of
you earlier postings mentioned an older couple who remember your neigborhood
flooding in the 1969 CAT4 hurricane... Did they give details, or say how bad?
I would hate for you to be flooded out like India last year. Perhaps this is
NOT a problem with your condo's location, but check the Topo maps, to get a
better idea, because it could be almost impossible to move across town to
higher ground, after 140+ winds and rain are already blowing. Later on, the
maps could also help you stay clear of flooded spots.

This REALLY does look like it can get ugly.

Random thoughts:

Electricity may be out for several weeks, not just days.
Fill some jugs/jars with water that you can move/carry - not only the tub.
Hopefully you have some long term canned food too, instead of just
...the pre-cooked items that need refrigiration.
There may be plenty of scrap wood blown around to cook with next week.
You have already moved most of your things upstairs, I suppose.
Put together an emergency backpack or duffle bag, in case you are
...absolutely FORCED to abandon ship, and move without notice.
If all swell breaks loose (waves) do you both have lifejackets?

Cell phone towers may not be working for weeks either.
We'll try not to worry for a weeks or so if we don't hear from you...
but after that, at least have friends make postings so we know you are OK.
Do you know anybody nearby who does "ham radio"?
I take it you have two weeks worth of light... otherwise reading those
books won't keep you from getting bored at night... wait a minute, you
have a 'friendly' companion who can help avert 'some' of that boredom. ;)

You have my best hopes and wishes, sent by karma express from Atlanta.

Re: Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, and don't get hurt.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

I am doing all that I can. We are up in one of the highest spots of the metro area. The only thing higher is Monkey Hill in Audubon Zoo. We've got plenty of water for drinking. We've got canned goods. We have batteries, candles, charcoal, all kinds of supplies.

We've even prepared bug-out bags. It looks from the current radar that the storm took that northward jog and we'll be on the western side of it. We'll muddle through.

Did you get a LiveJournal just because of me? I'll friend you if you'll be posting stuff in it.

i surrived an earthquake

[ozanbaba.livejournal.com]

wish you luck
buy a notebook

A notebook doesn't really help

[lionsphil.livejournal.com]

if the power's out, now does it?

What's going to route the packets?

Keep safe

[blindman-uf.livejournal.com]

worried about you, may your goddess keep you.

Re: Keep safe

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Check labrat's LJ for updates on all of us.

[solitary4now.livejournal.com]

I'm here with ya kiddo...we arent leaving either...too many animals to take care of...the kids have all been gone since this morning...off to their dads place in baton rouge...not terrific but better than slidell..we started seeing the rain around four thirty...its after six now and just getting dark...still no wind but its early...I cooked probably the BEST dinner of my life today!!! pineapple baked chicken with rice, gravy, and greenbeans...yum...I kept calling it our "LAST SUPPER>>" bad joke eh? 30,000 in the dome...yuck...not a place where I would want to be....I'll be thinking about all of you tonight...keep me in your thoughts also...blessings Phyllis

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

If you have Tracy's cell phone, call her and let her know how you are. As you see, I've got people updating for me after the power goes out. Just let folks know you're OK so that nobody gets ulcers worrying about us. OK?

[ozanbaba.livejournal.com]

i have a friend doing military service in hakkari.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he's in as much danger as we are.

[goddessmusings.livejournal.com]

Just in case I lose power up here in V'burg, check mazikeen lj for updates on everyones status. She'll make the updates if I can't.

Love ya chica! Stay cool- literally and figuratively.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Time for big weather magic. Whatever you've got, whip it out and shake it at the sky. So far, so good for us. It's just 6:30 though. I gave Corpsman the complete works of Shakespeare to keep his mind occupied when the power goes out.

{{{nolawitch and others in the storm track}}}

[dire-lobo.livejournal.com]

stay safe...

{{{NOLAWitch}}}

[(Anonymous)]

Good luck -- keep that cellphone charged as long as you have electricity to do so

If you're still online...

[gyrbyl.livejournal.com]

You now have 2 months' paid account, so you can make phone posts if you want to. Instructions on setting up phone posting are here (you need to set up a phone posting password before you can use it).

Re: If you're still online...

[gyrbyl.livejournal.com]

Oh, and {{{NOLAWitch}}} -- good luck.

[willow-dragon.livejournal.com]

We'll be thinking about you up here in Tennessee. My parents left NOLA this morning, they're up here now.

Be well. Stay Safe!