Uh, New Orleans DUers? I really, really, REALLY hate to tell you this...

[derby378]

...but please keep a close eye on Tropical Storm Ernesto. It's headed towards Jamaica, and it's expected to reach hurricane strength by the time it reaches the Gulf of Mexico tonight.

Please be safe, everyone. Please keep yourselves and your families safe. I love you all.

[BOSSHOG]

1. I don't want to live in interesting times

I wonder if the folks who live in FEMA trailors will qualify for a replacement trailor if the one they are living in now gets destroyed by another storm. Geez Louise!

[GrantDem]

2. Did they actually get a trailor??

I thought they were in stranded in Arkansas.

[BOSSHOG]

8. Many trailors

are being used in LA and MS but many more people are in need of housing of some sort. The occupants have been advised to leave the trailors in case of heavy storms.

[lonestarnot]

3. Bosshog, that is some sig line!

I love it!

[BOSSHOG]

7. Thanks Teammate

It comes straight from the heart. Kinda makes one wonder what the big fuss is about separation of church and state huh? It would be like arguing 2 plus 2 does not equal four.

[lonestarnot]

9. I am a free will creature. Give me liberty of give me death.

I have the intelligence and the wherewithal to make my own decisions within the law that is created by the people and for the people and I have no will to live any other way. Absolute separation of Church and State is a must if we are to live in peace. Peace on you brother! But keep fighting. It's a funny world.

[lonestarnot]

4. dupe fingers two fast.

[ashling]

11. "Trailor" - is that an

alterations shop on wheels. I think you got tailor and trailer confused.
:)

[lonestarnot]

5. Eeeequala!

Ernesto. Holding my breath.

[hlthe2b]

6. Please visualize this storm moving back out to (uninhabited) sea...

Whether you belive or not, let's get some positive energy going and keep the suffering gulf region surrounded by a ring of "protection."

I know this sounds nuts to some, but what can it hurt? Better to think of a dissolving storm moving out to sea, then focus on the destruction we saw last year...

[brentspeak]

13. ???

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[hlthe2b]

18. 'gotta better solution (as they prepare for the worst?)

....I already acknowledged it sounds crazy. But what harm is there in sending positive thoughts their way, eh?

[EFerrari]

15. It does sound nuts and I'll do it. n/t

[gulfcoastliberal]

43. Too late - it's heading into the Gulf.

I suggest that we diret our vibes for it to go into Texas. No offense Texans near the coast, but it's your turn now. Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana are still barely into recovery from the last 2 years of devastation. If this hits New Orleans, I doubt the city will have a population left to rebuild it. If that were the case, it'd be wise to build a "new" New Orleans much further up the Mississippi river and destroy the levees to allow the rapidly vanishing Louisiana wetlands to rebuild. A football sized area of Louisiana coastal wetlands dissapears into the Gulf every day. If this keeps up (I'm assuming the Conveyor project, a small diversion of silt-rich water from the Mississippi River meant to restore the wetlands will never get built - ($14 billion is too much "big guvament waste :sarcasm: ) then Baton Rouge will be waterfront in a few years. The state of Louisiana has placed fossil fuel extraction above all else, at great cost to its ecosystems and environment.

A link:

http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/wetlands/full.html

And a book (nonfiction) you should read to understand the problem: "Bayou Farewell"
by Mike Tidwell

[SammyWinstonJack]

47. I guess we could use the rain.

:eyes: I wouldn't wish this on anyone. :shrug:

[Texasgal]

62. Ever heard of RITA?

Thousands lost their homes last year.

It ain't "anyones" turn.

[Chomskyite]

66. There's already a New Orleans north

It's Baton Rouge. God bless the ex-New Orleans people. But Baton Rouge really needs to do some very fast infrastructure and transportation work if it's to function as the region's new major city. They do have a good man as mayor, though, name of Kip Holden. So it could very well happen.

[Cha]

67. I hear ya!

Great reminder!

[proud patriot]

70. I've been visualizing it moving out into the Atlantic

:hi: :hug: :hi:

[Generic Other]

10. Take care

Us all worrying about you all.

[pinto]

12. Latest 3 day probability cone from NOAA, Sat. 11 AM EDT:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT05/refresh/AL0506W_sm2+gif/144727W_sm.gif

[hedgehog]

14. Does anyone know what happened to the Super Dome?

As we all saw last year, when these storms start moving, they move fast. Has anyone made any plans to get people out by Friday if things go bad?

[Blue Belle]

19. The Superdome, from what I saw on TV the other night...

Should be up and ready for Monday Night Football...

The good news is, at least it will be there should people need shelter from another storm...

[EFerrari]

16. Is there anything on the teevee? I don't watch the "news".

Is there a warning? An anything?

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. Be Safe? How about Be GONE When It Gets There?

It looks like it won't be making landfall until sometime Thursday. I could WALK far enough to be out of harm's way before then.

Anyone in Ernesto's path when he gets to their neighborhood isn't too schmart in my opinion. And don't give me the bs about not having enough MONEY to get out of the way... hook a damn thumb for goodness sakes.

Just sayin'.

[EFerrari]

21. You might be surprised at how hard it is for poor people to be mobile.

And you have no business calling poor people stupid for being poor.

[TahitiNut]

25. It stuns me how clueless folks can be about a low/no-income life.

They don't seem to comprehend that auto insurance costs low/no-income people about 2-3 times as much as the comfortable folk. They don't seem to comprehend that hotels and motels are expensive, particularly for those who don't qualify for a corporate discount. They don't seem to comprehend that missing one social security check can mean going hungry and without medications - and some people can't get a checking account or write checks without a credit card. It's appalling how much MORE expensive so many things are for low/no-income people.

[cherokeeprogressive]

33. Two Things

I didn't I didn't call anyone poor, and I didn't call anyone stupid.

If an evacuation is ordered, hook a thumb. Hoof it. Ride a freakin' bike. Steal a schoolbus and cart all your neighbors out of harm's way. Anything is better than waiting on the chimperor's lackeys to come get you after the fact, when the water is 10 feet high. Don't you think?

[uppityperson]

35. Then what do you mean by this?

"Anyone in Ernesto's path when he gets to their neighborhood isn't too schmart in my opinion. And don't give me the bs about not having enough MONEY to get out of the way... hook a damn thumb for goodness sakes."

"isn't schmart"=stupid
"don't be me the be about not having enough MONEY"=poor

I agree that those who can evacuate should evacuate, ONCE they figure out WHO should, and if they CAN evacuate.

Edited and apologies for being snarky. sorry.

[cherokeeprogressive]

40. What did I mean?

"isn't too schmart" is equal to stupid? Excuse me, but I don't think there is a solid line that separates smart from stupid, do you? You mean to say that every person could be classified as either one or the other? That's pretty narrow minded if you ask me. I can see varying degrees of both actually.

This very moment two adults and one child can catch a Greyhound bus from Union Station in Los Angeles, to downtown San Diego for $45.50. $17.50 per adult, and $10.50 per child. That's right around 117 miles. Enough distance so that you wouldn't get have to wade through a flood if you went outside.

Yes of course it would be silly to run before you knew Ernesto was headed for your neck of the woods. But once you knew...

[uppityperson]

41. apologies for the snark. edited post to reflect that too.

Once you knew, if you could, I agree. Lots of debris on the Mississippi/Alabama/Louisiana coasts, ocean still nearby (surge), and NOLA's levees are untrustworthy. I have friends headed back to their volunteer camp, getting ready to evacuate their people and anyone else they can stuff in their vehicles.

[cherokeeprogressive]

44. No apology necessary n/t

[readmoreoften]

58. And then what do they do? Become homeless?

How do you get back to your house and job afterwards when you're penniless and African-American on the streets of San Diego with three children in tow? Sorry, this isn't an issue of "smart" or "stupid". Death comes in more forms than hurricanes.

[EFerrari]

37. I'm with you. Do whatever it takes. But some people can't --

they can only do what they can do.

The last time (first time for me) we had a tsunami warning here, I had a completely freaked out family member, an old deaf dog and cats on my hands. It's a good thing the wave didn't materialize because there's no way I could have moved everyone to safety and there's no way I could have gotten help. On my budget.

Someone else with a fat wallet could have just gotten everyone out for the night just in case. I had to sit here and sweat what was going to happen and try to figure out what I could do that would be the safest thing. (Because, you know, you have to feed people the next day.)

If I misread your post, I apologize.

/typo

[cherokeeprogressive]

42. Absolutely no apology necessary

None whatsoever. These days we all seem a little touchy I guess.

hands {shake}

[hedgehog]

22. The problem is that the path is only a best guess right now.

It could hit anywhere from Texas to Florida or it just might sputter out. Last week I'd have said that Debbie was headed straight for NYC, and it turned north and never made it to hurricane status.

[malaise]

32. We'll all have a better idea

depending on which side of Jamaica she passes. Looks like South of Jamaica so far, so I suspect the Yucatan and Texas should think about preparations although the Yucatan won't get a serious hit this time.

I can't recall a hurricane/tropical storm either passing through Jamaica or passing South and affecting Florida. Ernesto's track is similar to Gilbert's but thankfully he is way weaker.

http://www.wunderground.com/auto/sun-sentinel/hurricane/at198808.asp
http://www.hurricaneville.com/gilbert.html

[uppityperson]

24. Everyone from Tx to FL should evacuate now?

okay.

[hedgehog]

51. I meant to point out that people from Texas to Florida are

watching this storm to see if they will have to evacuate later in the week. It's just not practical for everyone in the possible path of a possible storm to leave right now. Am I right in remembering that Rita took a last minute swerve last year? It seems to me I remember people who ended up evacuating into the storm rather than out of it.

[uppityperson]

54. Indeed, must watch and see.

my post you responded to was to someone else.

They are not sure yet what will happen, all must be ready just in case.

[Swamp Rat]

29. Can I come stay at your house? Will you buy me a bus ticket?

I have little money, the car won't make it, and ALL the hotels are filled in neighboring states.

So, instead of calling me stupid, how about letting me stay at your house, cherokeeprogressive? ... or do I have to just walk to nowhere, as you suggest, with little money and no food or shelter?

[cherokeeprogressive]

36. Of course you can.

You are more than welcome to come any time you like, hurricane or no. Help yourself to whatever's in my fridge. Pull up a chair.

The only thing you're not welcome to is my bed, and my toothbrush. But there's a spare bedroom with a shower, and plenty of room on the floor. I've even got sleeping bags for your kids.

Why in the fuck would you assume otherwise?

And I didn't call you anything, friend.

Plenty of my peeps still live on the res in Tahlequah. So just you go ahead and tell me what I know and don't know about poor. I'd love to hear.

[hedgehog]

52. Are hotels filling up already or is that a metaphorical statement?

If the hotels are filling already, is that a normal reaction or a post-Katrina reaction?

[davsand]

63. Say the word, Swamp Rat and I'll hop in a car to come get you.

I can be there in about 15 hours and I'll bring you with me back to Illinois. We may be boring as hell, but you are always welcome in my house!

Keep safe, Dear One.


Laura

[ebayfool]

69. Be safe, Swampy ...

& ignore the 'poor baiters' - the boards been crawling w/them lately! I suspect it's an influx from an 'other place' - the similarities on the RonnyRayGunite 'personal responsibility' talking points are stunning.

If I wasn't in the same financial situation as you, I'd be down there myself - gathering up as many people as I could to help out, both before & after the storm. I just wish I could do more than worry @ all of you - be safe, be safe.

[hedgehog]

53. Another problem that hasn't been mentioned as far as evacuations

go: This storm looks to hit Friday which is the first of the month. I imagine a lot of people are stuck waiting for a paycheck or governmnet check before they have the money to leave.

[tammywammy]

20. Current Forecast Models

[TahitiNut]

31. Their 5-day has it at Cat 3 and targeting NOLA/Biloxi/Mobile by Friday.

[hedgehog]

55. The hardest thing for us who haven't been through a hurricane

is to remember that while these maps predict the track the eye will take, the actual storm is much bigger than the pinpoint location we're looking at. I wanted to say that the 5PM prediction showed this storm by-passing NO.

[uppityperson]

23. Don't forget Mississippi and Alabama coasts too,and Fla&TX

Mississippi and Alabama both got hit hard by Katrina last yr too, still not back together.

[EFerrari]

26. Oh, geeze. Where's merh?

How big is this?

[uppityperson]

27. probably out hitchkiking north, out of harms way.

:rofl:

So far Ernesto is being watched, models of what will happen are widely differing. Best thing is to watch and be ready to do whatever, from Tx to FL.

[EFerrari]

30. LOL! I can just picture that.

:hi:

Now I'm going to hafta watch this damn thing.

Hell.

[tammywammy]

28. Unfortunately, Mississippi and Alabama

tend to get ignored in Katrina talk....or well anyone outside of New Orleans.

And Rita also left a bit of damage in Texas too. :(

[YellowRubberDuckie]

64. Or anyone outside of working with them.

They were devastated too. And they're just getting started as well...and Alabama got no grant money.
Duckie

[JesterCS]

34. Intellicast Projection

[kineneb]

39. crap!

Hang tight if you have to, or get out if it looks ugly (if you can). My best wishes to all those in the Gulf states, from 'way out west in California.

Good luck. My thoughts are with you. Here we go again...:-(

[Rex]

38. I hope they stay hurricane free

but if it does hit New Orleans, the people will survive. Unlike last time, they all know now that there will be no help from the federal government. That knowledge will help save a lot of lives in the future.

[BlueStorm]

45. I really hope all goes well

and that Ernesto will just fizzle out... I don't think the Gulf Coast can take another hit. But if it does hit hurricane status, I hope and pray that everyone will be safe.

Blue

[uppityperson]

46. Seems like there will be a whole lot of people watching too.

do hope all are safe.

[BlueStorm]

48. Living in Michigan

and nver having really traveled out of the state, I do not know what it is like to face a monster of a storm like a hurricane. I am interested in meteorology and I find the weather phenonmenon to be interesting, but I don't know what it is like. I personally love storms and am in awe with hurricanes.

When Katrina hit last year, at first I was like, "Oh everything will be ok." My mom on the other hand said that it was going to be different and that it was going to change everything. (She was right) Whe Katrina was about to make landfall I felt queasy about it. The aftermath and the destruction really hit me, I have never felt this way with any other disaster, not the tsunami and not 9/11, those affected me too, but I didn't feel the sense of loss and helplessness that I felt with Katrina, and I am just a gal from Michigan!!!


I do hope that Ernesto will be kind if he does hit NO, I want that city to be rebuilt.

Blue

[uppityperson]

49. well, welcome to DU (a bit late), good place to be during disasters.

I mean NO place is good to be during disasters, but DU is a good place to be. Talking with my partner the Day the Levees broke, he was saying "looks like they dodged the bullet" and I was saying no, no, no, based on what people here were saying. Got to meet a few DUers in last yr, some residents affected, some other volunteers. It is amazing, way different than blizzards/tornados. It goes on and on and on and on and on. New Orleans is sexy and gets a lot of coverage but there is a huge area that was affected that is not NO.

The aftermath of Katrina has affected me too beyond those other things, it is OUR country, MY people, My f*ed up gvt non-help. I truly thought our country was better than it is. Yes, the people are great, but the gvt (meant to help us get what we need and cannot afford individually such as schools, emergency aid, libraries, military, social services), the gvt has failed.

[hedgehog]

50. My daughter went down to NO planning to volunteer all summer

She could have done a lot of good since she is working on her master's in Civil Engineering and is hoping on specializing in providing clean water to poor areas. Well, the problem she saw was too many volunteers and not enough organization. Her fiancee was with her, hoping to volunteer as a tutor. They thought things had all been arranged for them to work all summer but when they got there the group they had been in contact with was overwhelmed taking care of volunteers instead of survivors. She stayed long enough to ensure that the volunteers got clean water and then they left. They figured it was best not to overload the system more. It all goes to show that people have a good heart but there really needs to be direction and organization from the top. We used to have a government that did this before George. Why wasn't AmeriCorps or VISTA put on emergency footing to place trained people where they could do some good? I guess when you contract with the big boys so sub-contractors six steps down the food chain do the work for a fraction of what you gave the big guys, you don't have time for volunteers.

[uppityperson]

56. yes, disorganization can be a problem

a lot of people who want to help aren't organized, get overwhelmed by others showing up and wanting organized direction. Also, there is a certain amount of people coming to help or to hang out, eat free, party, etc. Organization is difficult, especially when you do not know who to contact to figure out where to go, what to do, etc. Word of mouth, grass roots organizations are good, some better than others. And some people go down intending to do (whatever) and find out that that is not what is needed the most right then or there. I went down intending to help with health care, ended up witnessing/talking to survivors, a bit of health care, mucking houses, delivering supplies, making contacts so next trip would be better organized. Thank her, them, for going.

[Karenina]

57. Bingo.

:hug:

[Nickster]

59. I know Dubya has all but eliminated funding for AmeriCorps. If I remember

right he proposed barely anything for them in the 2007 budget. They have built a few houses down there though.

[uppityperson]

60. DUers were working with them most of this last yr, now otherwise

intheflow and usedtobesick.
pm them for more info or search,but I think they are quite busy now, and esp with Ernesto headed towards them.
Edited to add link to this topic by them.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x28770

[BlueStorm]

61. I think that is what affected me as well

We've been through hurricanes before and weathered it(no pun intended) and we have rebuilt. I guess it's like you say uppityperson, that it was our government that failed.. seeing all of those people milling about in the floods, crying, looking lost you have it, it really tugs at your heart.

Blue

[EFerrari]

65. This storm looks like it's going east. Take good care, Duers.

:(

[opihimoimoi]

68. Condi going shoe shopping, Chertoff is going Bowling, Bush is fishin

Cheney could give a fuck, etc etc.