Geez, it's amazing how people seem to hear only what they want to hear. I have suggested some people could wait until daybreak Sunday but that would mean slower traffic. I said IF you leave during daylight Saturday, you'd avoid the jams. No where on FOX 8 has anyone suggested you not evacuate...UNLESS you have provided the proper protection for your house (clips & straps, shutters) and you have enough supplies for a week and you have generator power for a week. Several of my friends have spent $15-20 K for huge gas generators. Their homes are high and sturdy. What I did say is perhaps 5% of my viewers who have done their personal responsibility could stay since they won't need any government assistance.
Gustav is moving away from Cuba and should easily reach Cat. 5 over night. How long he can retain that intensity is the question. My concern is the fast forward speed that 1) won't allow such a large storm to change direction quickly and 2) doesn't give the storm time to weaken. I could join the doom & gloom crowd, but I look for the positives, which tonight are very few. Let me remind you of Hurricane Lili in 2002. She was a powerful Cat. 4 just south of us and, for some unknown reason to NHC, quickly weakened to a Cat. 1 at landfall. That's what I'm hoping for but realize is a long shot. Sure most should leave and most have. We will see if the levees the Corps rebuilt can withstand another Katrina type storm. A day and a half before landfall and we pray for a turn. Next update after daybreak tomorrow.
27 comments:
Which would be safer in your opinion? stay in Franklinton--have some trees on propery and near house or go to Baton Rouge--jefferson hwy area--north of I-12?
Thank you
Thanks Bob!
Tha's the postive attitude I was looking for, again I keep thinking of Lili and Ivan and that we still have some time for something to happen.
I'm watching you on FOX right now, and when I go home I'm gonna pray my little heart out.
I know you're staying for this thing, Bob, and I hope you'll be safe and sound.
Everyone else, I hope the same for you, and I hope we can all be home in a week to clean up.
Good vibes, people!!!
Good vibes!
Bob,
My parents live in Gulfport, and you are the only one I can find who is really reporting what is happening with Gustav and helping people understand what the impacts will be not only in LA, but also in MS. Thank you!!!! I've been encouraging people in MS all day to watch channel 8 to keep an eye on Gustav. You are the best!
Thanks again. I will be praying for the safety of everyone at channel 8 and in NOLA during this storm!
Christi B.
Colorado Springs, CO
Isn't Gustav similar to Andrew of 1992? It was a Cat 4 when it hit Louisiana. It made landfall in a similar area with expected surges of 20 ft. I know the Gustav forecast is evolving but it seems we do have a historical example.
Thanks.
Bob,
I have watched you faithfully for a long long time. I have been listening to your every word on this storm. I have decided to go ahead and get out of town for the safety of my family. I STRONGLY recommend that everyone else do the same. This is a momster of a storm and could cause devastation in our area. If any of you or your friends plan to sick this one out, you may want to think again. Especially those in the areas that could be hardest hit by this storm. I will keep watching through the web till the very end. And if we dodge another one, GREAT! But lets not take that chance.
I agree that this is similar to Andrew, is this a possibility? I live in New Orleans and am leaving Sunday but seems that this may be to late according to powers that be, how soon will we begin to see deterioration?
For those staying, can you give a prediction of the actual wind direction I should expect in Kenner during the worst of Gustav?
For Katrins it came in from the North over the lake but I suspect this one will be exact opposite, is this the case?
Thank you Bob for your honesty and actually, your love for the people of this city.
Positive? We can always and should always hope, but being prepared is the best way to avoid the doom and gloom that lives on forever....the loss of life.
We in LA know how hard it is to rebuild, but we love this place...and we do it. Katrina taught us how little we need....but life, must be protected.
I have hope...that people have learned, and that the outcome will be spectacular...less lives lost.
THanks Bob, for being and integral part of warning, instructing, and most of all for caring about the people of our area.
God Bless Everyone!
I'm here, working with the numbers from the Hurrican Hunters....on the Northshore until the power goes out.
Now I'll get a bit of sleep...
Take care, Ya'll
Stormzz
Daniel...I'll save Bob the trouble.
In Kenner, if the storm truly passes to your West, you should experience winds from the south east....but stay tuned for where the storm is coming in at! It's still 600 miles away!
The direction isn't so important, as long as you're safe. I believe that Kenner is under a mandatory evacuation? Please learn from history, and just go. The winds and possibly the water may be overwhelming....you're life is worth so much more!
God Bless...Stormzz
how might this affect area in lakeshore,ie,lakeshore drive and surrounding area noth of robert e. lee?
Mr,Bob when you get time can you plz talk about Morgan City no one is leaving every one say no body talking about us and nothing going to help plzzzzz help can you show here and there what could happen to us plzz mr.bob Thank You
mr,bob can you help i live in morgan city and nobody is leave if you get time can you here and there show what could happen to us every one i talk to say no one is talking about us so we going to be ok just talking about N.O and Houma plzzzzzzzzz help
Mr.Bob can you plzzzz talk about Morgan City no one is leaving everybody here watch you and say no one is talking about Morgan City plzzzz if you get time i know you busy but plzzzzzzz can you show what could happen here or what we going to see THANK YOU VERY MUCH
I'd like to hear about Morgan City as well, but I'm figuring the New Orleans news just doesn't reach that far, though I'm not sure why. I'm from New Orleans but live in Morgan City now and its so disorienting to go from a city where you get constant news and updates about what to expect and what could happen to a city where the ONLY news we've gotten is a 911 phone call telling us to evacuate. I can't find information about the possibilities for us anywhere!
Hi Bob,
Thank you for the great coverage...as usual! We left for Panama City Beach on Saturday and have been watching you online since. We're from Mandeville and heard Kevin Davis announce the mandatory evacuation that begins at 7am; however, I'm not sure if it was stated clearly that he meant BOTH areas that are south of I-12 AND areas that are east of I-59. I didn't fully understand the extent of the evacuation until I read the official proclamation on the STP government website. Do you think you could clarify that for St. Tammany viewers? Our friends and family are all south of I-12 in Mandeville and it would be good to hear it from you that they are required to leave. Thank you and keep up the good work! Stay safe!
John
Thanks for the words of wisdom, Bob. Former St Edward's girl now in the UK and I'm preshiaytin' your blog lending a bit of ease to my mind. Family gone to Houston and then? if necessary, some gone to Memphis and some in NORCO refusing to leave which scares the pants off me. Am listening to WWL radio online, but wishing the WVUE newcast was running... I would feel better to hear your voice... Thanks so much for all your hard work...
Thanks Bob. Its refreshing to have someone on tv keeping a level head and approaching these events like they should be approached, not the 3 ring doom and gloom CIRCUS everyone else gets caught up in. GREAT job and be safe....
And still, even though there is another storm about to destroy this area again in just a few years, you actually do not believe man is causing climate change? Then explain to me why the storms are becoming more frequent and stronger.....I have lived here all my life and the 80's and 90's, there was nothing like we see now. Wake up......
I don't know if this is the place to ask this.However, Ponchatoula residents have not had anything said from our mayor or representatives at all. I am wondering If the eye comes in where it is forcasted, what is the possible effects could ponchatoula see? A wide range would be fine, anything to go off of since we have noone here to talk to us.
Also, thank you Bob for everything you do!
Thank you
Thank you
I think that the reason it's weakened is because of prayer. There have been scientific experiments that show that prayer can affect things. If Gustav fizzles down to a Catagory 2 or lower, that would certainly reflect well on God.
That Southern eyewall looks really weak....
Bob, what's your thoughts on the shear up to his NW and the cooler water ahead....think we may get a break on this one?
C'mon, can you give some hope to folks?
Thanks for trying to see the positive...I'm tryin' myself!
Philis where are you?
I am glad someone mentioned prayer. My family and I evacuated from Houma to Dallas. I know prayer is very powerful. It has kept me calmer as time progresses. Ever since Andrew passed right over us and I heard the howl of airborne tornadoes, I realized the time has come to move out of the way, pray for peace of heart and return to whatever God wants us to return to do for him. In times of catastrophe, the human resolve is tested. God won't give us more than we can handle, but He will push your limits.
For those in Morgan City, if you feel any anxiety, I would suggest to pray for an answer. It will calm your soul and give you strength to make the decision to leave. I understand that Bob is very busy and will not be able to answer every comment. Bob has been calm and collected in this whole situation and I admire his commitment to the area.
Be safe everyone and pray.
Bob, You speak of a force in motion....., with gustav moving at 17 mph, and the current direction, is there not a good chance of it taking a track closer to N. O., or even further east?
Bob, You speak of a force in motion....., with gustav moving at 17 mph, and the current direction, is there not a good chance of it taking a track closer to N. O., or even further east?
Bob,
Long time fan (25+ years) and enjoy the blog. I spent most of Saturday watching the web feed of the continuous hurricane coverage from my safe location in Iowa, as my father, two brothers and a nephew live in the greater New Orleans area. For some reason I haven't been able to get the web feed at all today (Sunday), but the family members have all moved to higher ground north of the city.
Thanks for the level-headed updates. And good luck to all my Louisiana family and friends.
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