New Orleanians

[frustrated_lefty]

Katrina is looking nasty.

I-10 is a mess.

It's time to hunker down.

People on I-10 are skipping lanes and driving the wrong way out of town. Friends, we cannot do this.

Tape up your windows. Stock water away. Save your canned foods. Set aside batteries. Keep your children and yourselves AWAY from the outer rooms of your homes.

Do NOT do goofy shit like driving the wrong direction on the interstate. PLEASE. You make matters worse if you do that, and you invite your own death in the process.

We are going to be hit HARD, but please keep your heads. Think before you act. Keep a clear head on your shoulders. We can get through this.

FL

[xultar]

1. Weren't they supposed to open up all lanes out of town?

[Inspired]

2. I thought I saw on CNN

or something where the freeway was opened up on both sides for traffic heading out of town? It seems to me that they would do this to get more lanes out of the area.

[bear425]

3. FL. Please be careful, too.

Katrina was only a cat. 1 when she made landfall the first time near us. It was a scary storm then; now it's a monster. Aren't you evacuating? I believe Northwest is the best choice and asap.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. A contraflow order is in effect in New Orleans.

All interstate highways leading out of the city are operating in only one direction now -- away from New Orleans -- and have since 4 p.m. yesterday.

[CountAllVotes]

5. as one who has been through many disasters

#1 thing to do is FILL UP YOUR BATHTUB with water, that is the first thing to go once the power quits!

#2 Get plenty of blankets and put them in a place where they cannot get wet if possible.

#3 Hunker down is right!

#4 If the roads are that big of a mess, trying to drive away to escape it might be an even worse idea.

I pray to God that everyone in New Orleans will be safe!

Signed,

Someone who's mother was adopted from an orphanage in New Orleans

[Webster Green]

9. I can't believe what I'm reading here!

How the hell is filling the bathtub with water and hunkering down going to save you from 25 foot waves?

[CountAllVotes]

10. after the hurricane has passed

and there is no water, you'll be very glad you have some.

[KyndCulture]

11. if your bathtub is still there... nt

[CountAllVotes]

12. from the NWS info.

POWER OUTAGES WILL LAST FOR WEEKS...AS MOST POWER POLES WILL BE DOWN
AND TRANSFORMERS DESTROYED. WATER SHORTAGES WILL MAKE HUMAN SUFFERING INCREDIBLE BY MODERN STANDARDS.

I hope the bathtub survives. I'd be stocking up on water any way I could if I had no way to get away, filling any/all containers, pots, pans, etc.

:kick:

[Poppyseedman]

6. Please do not waste your time taping windows.

At 180 MPH, it will do nothing.

If you are below sea level, get out NOW to higher levels. Leave your keyboards NOW.

Clear and levels heads will not stop you from drowning when the waters are 15 to 20 feet deep.

From a Hurricane Andrew survivor

[Webster Green]

7. Why is it time to hunker down?

As opposed to getting the fuck out of there?

Seriously!

[frustrated_lefty]

13. Some us don't have the luxury

of "getting the fuck out of" here.

The preceding post indicated it was stupid to waste time taping the windows. Yes, many of you, without the benefit of ever experiencing the full brunt of a hurricane, are very vocal advising us to get "the fuck out of there."

Try and wrap your head around this simple, annoying, maddening, but fundamental truth. Some of us simply can NOT just pick up and leave.

For those of us in that position, yes, I am trying to offer words of encouragement. Yes, hunker down. Yes, tape your windows. The glass from taped windows does not spread as wide, it does not spread as far, it's less likely to send shards in your eyes.

Those of you saying "get the fuck out of there" are saying it with the best of intent. Thank you, sincerely, for the concern.

Those of us who can't pick up and leave have enough on our minds, so, if you don't mind, stop spouting the obvious to us. In your words, "Seriously!"

[BeFree]

14. A hurricane veteran, I see, eh lefty?

At this point and time, people who are still in N.O. who were not willing or able to leave must take care. Besides all the good tips you mentioned, one might want to drag a mattress or two into their bathroom and ride the storm out in there as bathrooms are the strongest. Being on the third story will help with flooding. Wear plenty of clothes and pack more in a garbage bag.

If the storm makes a direct hit you will experience something you will never forget. Lets hope it calms down and hits the least populated part of the area.

My prayers are with you, as are most all Du'ers I'm sure.

[FourStarDemocrat]

8. Good luck to everyone in the area.

Hope you make it out successfully. New Orleans is going to be ravaged by this storm.. :-(

[laylah]

15. FL...

stay safe. I send white light and :hug: to you, your wife, your kiddos, and the people in NO.

Jenn

[dryan]

16. Have been through 5 hurricanes....

not everyone can leave town. Some people don't have transportation to leave or have sick relatives that can't be easily moved. When Donna hit in the early 1960s we didn't have a car. My mother bleached the tub (Donna was a category 3/4) to sanitize it and then filled it with water. We then covered all the windows with tape so if they broke (which a couple did) they wouldn't shatter. We then all went into the bathroom which was in the interior of the house and stayed there through the storm.