MzPossum

Hmmm. All the weather folk here keep saying Ivan will make a hook to the right, but hasn't happened yet. Seems to be headed straight for Louisiana. NOLA is battening down the hatches and folk from there have been evacuating for at least the last 24 hours. Got extra water, etc yesterday. No "D" batteries in town and some gasoline stations empty and closed. BR hotels full and they're Traffic west bound on the interstate at a crawl. How are you all in the Miss/ Ala/ Fla gulf coast doing?

MarthaB

I hope this storm peters out, but the forecasters are saying it might gain strength. I love beautiful NOLA. Probably one of my favorite cities ever and was planning to get down there from Chicago either for Christmas or the beginning of June.

Is it the wetlands that need to be fixed? I thought I read that taking care of that could spare NOLA from the devastation of some of these hurricanes.

I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed for y'all.

Take care all of you in Ivan's way.

Dan

I decided to "ride this one out" since my apartment is on the second floor. Let's HOPE it jogs to the east before landfall as they say it will! Otherwise, we're in for a wild ride today.

My grandparents in Sanibel were hit by Charley. Then Frances got my parents in Palm Beach. Now Ivan gets me! Bad karma in the Dan family this summer, I think!!

Patrick

The 7 AM advisory today attaches the following probabilities:
New Orleans 21%
Pensacola 30%
Gulfport, Mississippi 30%
Mobile, Alabama 34%

It shows further signs of weakening, but remains a very powerful hurricane.

ccolor

We're lucky that we'll be coming to New Orleans next week and not this one, but we're still very concerned that something terrible will happen to that wonderful city. I've been stalking the website for WWLTV discussions about the weather and there seems to be a better turn being viewed. Let's hope they're right.

You take care of yourself, Dan!

sognatrice2

Am just posting here to stop worrying. My aunt and all my cousins live in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Left last night for a motel in Montgomery Alabama, but never arrived. I'm so worried....can't reach their cell phones. Hope it doesn't catch up with them on the road..
Other cousins live in Baton Rouge, I'm praying for you all down there!!!!!

Dan

Update: as of 10am the storm has veered north and appears headed to the Mobile Bay area. N.O. should be spared the worst of it. My thoughts to the people in MS and AL if it does hit there. It's still a strong storm.

benj

We are battened down here across the lake from NO. Were supposed to have 11 relatives coming in Thurs & Fri for a visit but they have wisely canceled. My fear is that we will lose electricity from falling trees like we did in George. No other damage but getting the power back on was a job. No generators available anywhere as of several days ago.
All we can do do is prepare for the worst & hope for the best. Good luck to all in the watching & waiting area.

Statia

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who are in the path of Ivan. Please update us when you can and stay safe!

Giovanna

We're scheduled to visit New Orleans, arriving 9/22 and leaving 9/27. Will be disappointed if our trip is not possible. Haven't been to this beautiful city for many years and very much looking forward to our return.

More important, of course, is the safety of you who live there! I will hold good thoughts that New Orleans is missed, or at least that damage is limited and no one is hurt.

jersey

We have an aunt in Mobile. We called her yesterday and asked her to come up for a visit (long overdue anyway). She won't leave. She's alone except for her two college age daughters. They think they'll be able to weather this storm OK. I confess to being worried to death. I read in the paper this morning that there is now mandatory evacuation of coastal areas in the Gulf. Am I nuts to worry so?

We here in NJ just get the leftovers occasionaly so I've never been really through a hurricane. The remnants are awful enough (4 days without electricity 5 years ago). Any thoughts from my Southern friends?

halbo49

Greatings from AL coast(Grand Bay)
all preps have been made,
Expect to see Ivans eye around midnite unless we have a miracle,
expect to lose power soon after dark.
May be able to go online later with laptop if phone lines hold out.
Thank for all prayers.

sandiegojoe

looks like NO will be spared from the storm surge this time (yet again) if and when that place does take a hurricane head on, it's going to be destroyed.

Good luck Mobile. keep to high grounds.

Austin

The eye may not hit NOLA, but even a brush with part of the storm - the winds, rain - WILL cause damage to this city, which is already below sea level. Those who stay "should have access to a second floor, and be able to hack through the roof in case the water rises that far." There is a reason they have asked people to evacuate. I also read that if Mobile is hit head on the "first 12 blocks of the city starting at the waters edge will be under water". Cnn is already reporting that the coasts of LA, AL and FL are already getting hit with 135 mph winds. This is so very sad. http://www.cnn.com/2004/WEATHER/09/1...van/index.html

Kal

I've been keeping an eye on NOLA thru the Bourbo Cams.

Here's to hoping for the best. We'll keep a good thought for all the NOLA and SE FFFs.

CClou-Our 49er TA called us last week with an discounted offer on this Sunday's 49er/Saints game trip to NOLA.

Mrs Kal is finally back to work so it was an offer we could, but sadly refuse.
#39;(
More beads and booze for you and your better half.

ccolor

Kal - So close and yet so far.. It's more important to have Mrs. Kal on the mend so we'll catch up with you at a Lucky Dog stand later! We're still heading to N'Awlins the 22nd and are continually thinking of all the people in the city/parishes and what they are experiencing. ALL our thoughts are with them right now.

You take care of yourselves and we'll try to hold up your ends of the deal with the understanding you will pay back the favor at a later date.

Clou

hibiscushouse

Felt like the devil passed by us last night here on the coast next to Tampa. It could have be us, and at one time, they thought it would be.
My thoughts are so with all of you in Ivan's path. My sincere hope that you all will be safe throughout the night and into tomorrow. From the Gulf coast on to the inland States that will experience the winds and flooding rains as well.
The rest of us are holding our breaths, watching, and wishing you the best of luck through this.
And I, for one, am praying for you as well.

ccolor

Dan - WWLTV is stating that New Orleans seems to have avoided the worst of the storm. How are you doing?

Dan

Actually, I've been watching TV. Lots of wind gusts but no rain and no power outages as of yet.

As I finish off my beer, I think I'll sleep through the storm.

We are VERY fortunate.

sunbabe

Praying for everyone's safety in the event of hurricane Ivan. Use good judgement and be safe.