Posted by BrendaTx on 8/31/08 9:08am
Msg #262792

Gustav: Lousiana, Alabama, West Coast Florida Notaries

I am grateful that Texas is likely spared but very concerned about our other states along the gulf coast to the east of us.

Please let us know how you do over the next few days.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/31/08 9:32am
Msg #262794

Agree...Godspeed to all...that thing is a monster...

I'm watching the TV reports now....but I must say N.O. has been taking it seriously for some time - my daughter and her boyfriend are EMTs in CT - he's on the disaster relief team...he was deployed to N.O. last Wednesday - they're staging farther north but I'm glad to see they ARE preparing early....

God I hope the levees hold this time..

Reply by JanetLA on 8/31/08 9:37am
Msg #262795

What people need to know about New Orleans in my opinion

is that the repairs have not been completed. The repairs are still a work in progress. The people are not all home. The canals are not secure. The streets have not been repaired. If you go to the French Quarter it seems to be business as usual. Not the case for the poor, the lower middle class and many others.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 8/31/08 9:45am
Msg #262797

I heard that Janet

the Army Corps of Engineers spokesman said yesterday they'd been working on the levees but the repairs/improvements weren't scheduled to be completed until 2011....

Are you okay? You were the first one I thought of when I saw it headed that way....stay safe..

Reply by desktopfull on 8/31/08 11:16am
Msg #262800

Re: I heard that Janet

I just have a hard time understanding why it should take 6 years to fix those levies. And why the major problem areas in the levies weren't fixed first.

Reply by John_NorCal on 8/31/08 12:56pm
Msg #262806

Re: Wondering why it should take 6 years?

Could it be our government in action? Nope won't get into politics here, wrong forum.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/31/08 8:49pm
Msg #262832

Re: I heard that Janet

Actually, it's been more than six years, as the army corps of engineers had been predicting the possibility of the Katrina disaster long before it happened. I just hope that more people are willing -- and able -- to evacuate, this time. I did hear that transportation was available this time for anyone who wanted to leave, and well in advance. I certainly hope that's true!! My prayers, also, to everyone potentially affected!!

Reply by Mamie on 9/2/08 3:36pm
Msg #262944

Re: I heard that Janet

Did you forget, you are dealing with the government!

Reply by John_NorCal on 8/31/08 10:03am
Msg #262798

Re: Gustav: Evacuation update

DPS AUSTIN COMM HAS BEEN ACTIVATED IN RESPONSE TO PENDING HURRICANE GUSTAV, WE WILL BE

WORKING 12 HOUR SHIFTS, 7A-7P AND 7P-7A. WE WILL BE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL FROM

CEOT BLUE & GREEN TEAMS TO ASSIST US. THEY WILL BE REPORT FOR DUTY AT 0700 ON SUNDAY, 8-31-08.



RED TEAM AND COMMAND ONE WILL BE STAGED AT HOUSTON.



CURRENT SITUATION… NEW ORLEANS IS UNDER MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER AND HAS BEEN MOVING PEOPLE VIA BUS

AND TRAIN TO DESIGNATED SHELTER CITIES, AIR EVAC IS ALSO TAKING PLACE. OTHER EVACUEES FROM LOUISIANA HAVE

BEEN MOVING INTO TEXAS ON THEIR OWN. LOUISIANA AUTHORITIES WILL BEGIN CONTRAFLOW - WB- ON I-10 AT 0600. ORANGE

AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES IN TEXAS WILL BEGIN MANDATORY EVACUATION, POINT TO POINT, TO DESIGNATED INLAND CITIES ON SUNDAY.



THERE ARE NO ROADS CURRENTLY CLOSED, HOWEVER I-10 AND US90 WB FROM BEAUMONT ARE VERY SLOW MOVING.



THERE ARE NO PLANS, CURRENTLY, TO CONTRAFLOW ANY HIGHWAYS IN TEXAS

Reply by desktopfull on 8/31/08 11:18am
Msg #262801

Good Luck to everyone, hope you stay safe. n/m

Reply by MistarellaFL on 8/31/08 2:33pm
Msg #262809

We on the SW coast

are getting wicked storms from the outer bands.
Ya'll in the panhandle and southern coastal states get prepared or get out.
This is an ugly storm.

Reply by JanetLA on 8/31/08 2:45pm
Msg #262810

Louisiana is a mess but better than prior to Katrina

Hi: All is fine here in Baton Rouge...We have issues and concerns but they are so far under control. Our surface streets are so crowded that you can't get anywhere quickly. We can't get on the interstate because of contra-flow. You don't hear that we cannot buy gas in Baton Rouge... The gas stations are sold out everywhere. The gas trucks that were headed our way were re-re-routed to evacuation areas so that they are able to have fuel to complete the evacuations. The generators that we need for electricity loss are mostly gasoline operated... The stores are sold out of charcoal, candles, bread, canned meat etc. The traffic is worse than our usual, and that usual was not too good. The streets here flood when we have hard rain so after the weather predicted, it will be a stay at home and wait-and-see period. The stores are closing today at noon, which is good for the employees that need to secure their families but bad for people that need medicine, etc. The schools are closed at least until Wednesday. The heat will be bad for those without generators. You can't open windows when it is storming outside... And remember that here the temperature is above 90 degrees, and over 80 all night long. People with health problems suffer the most here. Scary for the nursing homes etc. I am lucky that I have my health and a generator with plenty of extra gas to operate it. I pray for the safety of those evacuating all over the Gulf Coast. Families and staying safe are of far greater importance than the loss of property...

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/31/08 3:25pm
Msg #262813

Re: Louisiana is a mess but better than prior to Katrina

Janet, be safe and as often as you can please update us.

Baton Rouge is a little bit inland, but still you'll be seeing some bad weather if the storm continues on its course.

If you think you'll find yourself without internet, please feel free to text the number in my profile to give us an update of how you are faring and I will report to the board. Write it down so we can hear from you.

May God bless and protect Tx., La., Ala., Ms. and Fl.

Reply by Sandra Clark on 8/31/08 3:16pm
Msg #262811

Good luck to my fellow notaries in those areas. Will say a prayer for your safety and well being.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/31/08 4:02pm
Msg #262815

Snoop...I'm sorry, I should have listed Ms. in original post

I just realized my error.

Reply by snoopdogMs on 8/31/08 7:28pm
Msg #262830

Re: Snoop...I'm sorry, I should have listed Ms. in original post

Brenda, you did list MS. and thanks for the concern. Mississippi (Jackson) took a beating in Katrina as did other severely hit areas. We were without power for about 10 days. Life was interesting to say the least but certainly nothing compared to those in the hardest hit areas. It was a time of reflection to realize how dependent we are or might be on others for the basics. Times like this remind us especially of the goodwill of strangers and friends alike and the possibility to reach out to others and share.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 8/31/08 9:06pm
Msg #262835

Times like this....

It also should be a reminder to all of us to take action on updating our own emergency preparedness. I doubt there's many of us who can honestly say that their area is free from any kind of risk of natural disaster. Would you be prepared to exist on your own for several days to several weeks? I'm sure there are multiple resources in every area with information on how to best prepare. I know I have a ways to go, but I try to take one more step every time I hear about situations like this...

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/31/08 4:13pm
Msg #262817

Our first evacuee from New Orleans into the neighborhood

just arrived. Haven't gotten to debrief yet...but will be interested to hear his tales from the New Orleans Evacuation of '08.

Three years ago he had just happened to be moving his daughter from NO to here and into her home in the neighborhood when Katrina struck. It was a month before he could go back.