[Tazer]

Originally Posted by angel_bayou

I realized moments ago just how much Hurricane Katrina freaked people out. I went to Wal-Mart and I figured it would be kind of crazy since rumor had it there was no bottled water since yesterday, but I never dreamed how frantic people are. Maybe it's because I have lived in Louisiana my entire life so hurricanes don't scare me much. Let's just say as they were rolling in the water right off the kentwood truck people were loading cases into their buggies and the same went for batteries!!

How many of you out there have an eye on Gustave? Are you planning to evacuate if it heads your way? We're staying put as of now because the closest track won't be out until Saturday and we have a generator so we're ok!

Not planning on evacuating since I'm in Dallas, Texas but my d/h is one of the Ministers who coordinated a lot of the Katrina efforts 3 years ago so we have been called a lot the past 2 days to see what we can offer if the need arises.

We have 4 church buses and 2 vans gassed, packed w/ food, water, pillows, blankets, pre-paid cell phones, etc. and drivers on stand-by if needed. Other than that I am praying so hard that no one is affected like last time.

Tracy

[angel_bayou]

For those of you who are still wondering what the traffic would look like during a hurricane evacuation you can check out my blog because I walked to the top of our street where it over looks Highway 90 and took a photo. It's posted on my blog and let's just say it's bumper to bumper no matter which way you look!

We'll really be tested by this storm since this is the first time west and east Louisiana has had to evacuate at the same time!! Contraflow on tommorow should be really interesting to say the least.

Although they're calling for a mandatory evacuation our town is still full of people!! We're not 100% sure what we're going to do but stay tuned!!

[Tazer]

Two of our church buses and both of our vans are being sent to St. Charles Parish at 4:00pm to evacuate residents of local nursing home and transport them to San Antonio, Tx. for shelter. All we were told is that these residents are ambulatory and have no family members available for transport. Wow...it is scary just sitting here listening to d/h and several local ministers discuss it; I can not imagine what it is like to live it.

We have called a 6:30pm church meeting; it is a combination prayer and support group. We are forming a task force to help meet the needs whatever they turn out to be. We we caught off guard with Katrina and hoping to avoid that this time. We actually have 2 families at our church who are still here post-Katrina having lost everything, even a sisters grave site! The other older lady has family still there and she is unable to reach them today.

It is overwhelming. Yesterday d/h and I were planning a combination Labor Day / Birthday Celebration for me on Monday. Now we're cleaning up the extra blankets, sleeping bags and air mattresses and preparing the den for possible guests.

I'm praying and I know He hears me, but I'm scared. I remember Katrina. Tracy

[EZ2Luv]

Just wanted you all to know I am praying for you. I heard on the radio some scary stuff and I hope people are willing to take precautions needed. I heard the mayor make a plea to people to take this serious.

EZ

[angelkisses0102]

You all have our prayers...we are about 350 miles north of the eye right now in South Florida...and we are already getting the outer feeder bands. I simply can not imagine what you are all going through. MANY prayers are being said!

[dpen6]

Hey folks,,,,up in boston here but just read in the paper that the federal agency's have called the diaster people(don't know the right names sorry), i.e. doc, nurses and getting supplies ready to go down. I think they are going before it hits and staying in Baton Rouge. Hopefully if this thing does hit you will all be better prepared.

Good Sunny thoughts going your way

[angel_bayou]

Thanks for the many, many prayers you guys have sent out our way. I can tell you I've lived in Louisiana all my life but this is the first time I have ever seen such a MAJOR evacuation taking place. In the past we've had hurricane parties and all grouped together at different houses and watched the rain and wind go by. I think more people are getting afraid now as Gustav is boarding a Category 5 hurricane. Think about this Katrina came through here as a strong category 3!! We're so wet down here because the water is still high from the flooding up north months back because before we could dry the rains started!!

My family will be leaving in a couple of hours and I think the hardest thing is do decide which one of your children's belonging will you take and which ones will you leave behind??? We've been here before so we know the drill, but with three kids it's never an easy task!!

Please pray for the families traveling the roads tonight, tommorow and those who will remain in their homes. No matter who gets this monster storm it will be tragic!! Hugs and many thanks to all of you!! You all can check my blog for updates as we venture to the north to get out of the path of Gustave. I can't remember my password here so I'm not sure if I'll be able to update you from there or not!

[carolynpep73]

My heart sinks reading this. I saw the updates tonight and I almost cried. I can only imagine the anxiety and fear people are feeling right now. Although I am out of immediate threat, SW FL, we are getting feeder bands already. Stay safe and over prepare. Just get outta there! Hugs to everyone!!!!

[frankiegirl]

My prayers go out to all the people who are affected from this storm!

[angel_bayou]

Imagine being in the parking lot right after the football game of the century and trying to get home!! This what the interstate from Louisiana to Mississippi was like last night!! An normal trip that would have taken us about 1 1/2 hours took us about seven hours to do and this was good since we took many, many uncrowded back roads. My Dh works in the New Orleans East area so he know these roda ways!!

Prayers are truly being answered as Gustave is weaking so the main thing to be concerned with now is the tidal surge for our area. It looks like it will make land fall maybe 20 miles from our home. Although we have NEVER flooded in all the years I can remember or my grandmother you can never say never and Katrina has proved this theory!! With such tidal surges coming in it will put several towns under water and God willing we will be there to help our neighbors pick up the pieces as we did for Katrina!! Many are getting out of harms way and lives can't be replaced as homes can!! Hard to swallow I know but we're safe and sound and I manged to change my info to be able to access you guys and I will update as often as I can as we keep a close eye on Gustave!!

[JanCA]

I'm way west in CA but checking weather.com regularly to follow this. I hope and pray that it downgrades and all can stay safe.

[mlburney]

Sending out prayers from north mississippi to all of our coastal friends...

May the Lord keep you and your families safe.

[annaguat]

Eventhough we are in CA too we are following the news. My friends son is a mechanical engineer on one of the oil drilling platforms in the Gulf and has an apartment in Louisiana. His dad was visiting but they are now all heading to Texas. Praying for everyones well being and for their homes and businesses. Anna

[angel_bayou]

We're still watching and waiting. We're seeing the affects of all the prayers that have been going out because Gustave has still not strengthen very much even though he's over warm water right now. We're hoping it stays this way or lessens!!

DH has LOTS of family in Lafouche parish where the storm is projected to hit and they have a special needs child and the father is also sickly. This would be hard for them to deal with so my prayers are with them as well. We've decided to stay put here in MS so we're close enough to go back in as soon as possible to assess the damage of our area as well as the area of other family members. I'll write in as much as I can until the weather gets to bad!!

[angel_bayou]

Still doing well but we're definately feeling the winds of Gustav as he close in. It's been down graded to a Category 2 which is a HUGE blessing!! I updated my blog if any of you are interested in more info!