The current hurricane

[Lucy]

The grandson of another of my dad's sisters e-mailed me that my cousin from New Orleans and his mom (Dad's other remaining sister) were without power at their houses, so he moved them to his farm where he has a small trailer with an a/c and power supplied by his farm generator. He said they'll have generator driven power for about a week at which time he expects to run out of fuel. He's not expecting their homes to have electricity for at least several weeks, so I hope they'll be able to get the older aunts up to Vicksburg where they have a place to go with electricity until there's is back on.

Unfortunately, the e-mail didn't mention my professor cousin who's house in Hattisburg was right in path of the worst of the storm although not on the coast. They might've gone to Pensacola to stay with family there or elsewhere in Fla, etc., but I'd like to know for sure.

I'm getting more and more concerned about my sis's bil's sister in Biloxi. Just heard that they're expecting hundreds of deaths in MS alone.

I think that this WAS a worst case scenario after all, just as had been predicted for years, even though eye didn't hit N.O. Realized this when the levy system started to break down today, and also, remembered the prediction that there weren't enough roads to evacuate all that many people, which is one of the problems.

Last year on the way home from Ga, decided to cut through central MS and ultimately Natchez, and cross over the MS River bridge there into La. til I got to Alexandria sort of in the middle of that part of the state.

I had no idea what a lack of highways there were within the interior of that state -- it's either I-20 to the north that runs through Shreveport, then Jackson, or else one has to take I-10 which is now impassible in spots.

After getting tired of start and stop driving, I decided to try a new highway which ran, probably a little west of Alexandria, and I thought went due south. As it turned out, it ran more like southeasterly, so I ended up having to back track some once I got to the more southerly highway I took back to Houston.

Whole point in telling you this is that this was a FANTASTIC highway with multiple lanes, but honestly, it ran through an area which was barely populated. I wonder if perhaps this wasn't built as not only part of an evacuation route, but also, as a good location for new housing, should N.O. ever be lost to something like we've just witnessed. I suppose this new highway might eventually make it easier for people coming from places like Dallas/Ft.Worth on their way to N.O. as well, especially if it's planned to intersect with I-20 eventually.

I do hope that Terry and family are doing ok. Don't suppose their lovely old house had a chance, but hopefully, she'll make contact with us when she can.

Yours, Luce

[Lucy]

Shirley,

Did you see the video of the tornado that hit Carrollton in Ga.? I saw a picture of the Econolodge in Helen, Ga. -- it was hit by a tornado as well.

I will NEVER evacuate to the right of one of these things (the east, usually, but it depends on the approach) as things always seem to happen a far expanse in that direction. On the left or clean side, one doesn't usually have to travel very far to get out of danger. From here, even heading due north in some cases can be tricky. I've had my tornado for the year, thankie!

I really need to have a map marked with several different evacuation routes, but I would have the advantage of being able to leave earlier than most people, and would have to as I'd be taking my mom with me, so couldn't have her getting stuck out in traffic somewhere, particularly for prolonged periods of time. Anyway, I'm going to start stocking up on things a day or so early if one of these gets anywhere where they're a possible threat to this area.

I may have to trick my mom into leaving, but that's what I'll have to do as it's best for her. She's been through her share of hurricanes and trophical storms, so it won't hurt her to sit this one out. (Tess, do you use that expression in Spain? Ha!) It's hard enough to go through one of these when you're young and healthy, but at her age with advanced PD/Shy-Drager's, it would just be too much.

At least in Tx. we have plenty of good highways in any direction from here. Something to be thankful for, that's for sure.

Yours, Luce

[starfire]

Luce,
Yes, I saw the clips of the tornados in Ga. and I'm so very grateful that my family wasn't involved but it is so sad for the people who were. I wonder how much more devastation we will have this year from hurricanes and related tornados. Then, I wonder if next year is going to be as bad. We are only halfway through the season now with Aug/Sept historically being the worst months. Sometimes I' wonder if moving to Fl. is the best thing to do, but it seems to make the most sense logostically at this time. If it turns out to be a bad decision, it won't be the first one.

I just can't imagine what those people are going through right now in the wake of the storm. Really catastrophic.

Love, Shirley