What will Louisiana do this time?

[Fotno]

Louisiana governor delcares emergency; will activate Guard for Gustav

http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/NEWS01/80827050/-1/rss

BATON ROUGE, La. — Gov. Bobby Jindal late today declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, where preparations are under way for the possible arrival of Tropical Storm Gustav.



Jindal said 3,000 National Guard troops would be activated and deployed a day in advance of the storm’s expected landfall. The governor said an additional 2,000 troops could be activated.
About 300 guard troops are in New Orleans, working with New Orleans police to patrol neighborhoods still devastated from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

[carsalesguy]

http://www.webstockpro.com/Thumbnails/OjoImages/pe0058744.JPG

[bpitt]

I just got back from down there. I saw a few National Guard humvee's rolling into town with generators, etc. I dunno where they were going. Also, I listened to the talk radio station down there, you wouldn't believe some of the people. There were several inquiring if the Red Cross or the gubberment was going to give out debit cards so they could afford gas to leave town. Can you believe that? They were told, thankfully, NO.

Instead, some parishes are planning on using school buses (FINALLY) if needed to bus people out. Also, buses will be available in New Orleans as well as 'track service'. I guess maybe they'll put some on Amtrak?

I will say, I didn't see many people leaving, yet, like I thought I would. I saw just a few heading out with their boats in tow.

[bpitt]

Also, 'contra-flow' will go into effect 60 hours before project landfall. That means I-59 and I-55 will be northbound only up to some point within our state. I saw our DOT people cleaning off the cross way near Millard getting ready.

[Hermione]

I do feel for many of those people. Thinking back to my time in New Orleans, there was more than once I wouldn't have had the cash to evacuate, though my sister was there and did. But there are many very poor, and many who don't own cars. It looks like another round of misery for them.

[BassCatter]

They'll be bussed out Hermione, the Superdome is NOT going to be opened as a shelter.

[Guru]

I plan to take La. 21 / Ms. 35 home. Going to try to avoid the contr-flow folks if at all possible.
It's gonna be a mess by the time I see it.

[Guru]

Jindal is no Blanco, they may have a chance this time.

[Hermione]

Yes, thank goodness the plan is to get them out. But let's pray it isn't an extended time again.

[Hermione]

Did I ask on here about taking 45 to N. Miss (going to Olive Branch or to Cordova.)

[TheCapitalist]

Here is a link to the contraflow plan:

http://www.gomdot.com/Home/EmergencyPreparedness/pdf/ContraflowPlan.pdf

Hwy 49 will not be part of it.

1. Southern (Beginning) Terminus (The State of Louisiana will initiate
contraflow strategy within the borders of Louisiana.)
a. I-59 contraflow operations will begin at the I-10 / I-12 / I-59
junction and proceed north on I-59. Louisiana has
constructed the southern (beginning) terminus crossover that
will move all existing I-10 northbound traffic onto the
northbound and southbound I-59 traffic lanes.
b. I-55 contraflow operations will begin at the I-12 / I-55 junction
and proceed north on I-55. Louisiana will force I-12
westbound traffic off onto I-55 contraflowed southbound
lanes.
7 6/06
2. Northern (Ending) Terminus (Contraflow operations will either end
in Louisiana at the state line or end inside Mississippi at a predesignated
location.)
a. I-59 contraflow operations will terminate in Mississippi south
of Poplarville, which is positioned at mile marker 21 six miles
south of Exit 27 at the junction of I-59 and Mississippi 53
(MS 53).
b. I-55 contraflow operations will terminate in Mississippi south
of Brookhaven, which is positioned at mile marker 31 seven
miles south of Exit 38 at the junction of I-55 and United
States 84 (US 84).

Gov. Barbour has declared a state of emergency, and the contraflow plan will be implemented as of 6pm Sunday (I think that was correct. CAN'T CONFIRM):

http://www.wdam.com/global/story.asp?s=8917094

[SoMissTV]

Did I ask on here about taking 45 to N. Miss (going to Olive Branch or to Cordova.)

I wouldn't do it.

[Guru]

Did I ask on here about taking 45 to N. Miss (going to Olive Branch or to Cordova.)

Think about going to Mt. Olive and taking Highway 35 North. It will be less traveled and has nice gas stations, stores and things along the way. Your cell phone should work well up through there.
When you get to Forrest, etc there will even be some clean little motels along the way that folks have forgotten because they will flock to the more larger travel routes.

[TheCapitalist]

Jindal's actual letter to Pres Bush concerning Gustav:

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Government/Louisiana_Gov._Jindals_Letter_To_President_Bush_Co ncerning_Gustav__7378.asp

[Guru]

I can't help it, it does make me feel freaky to look at the TV and hear the words hurricane and see the image of Ray Nagin on the screen at the same time.
But, they did want him back so bad ...

[TheCapitalist]

They have him. He and Pelosi are two peas in a pod...

[bpitt]

The local station down in New Orleans said that one or two parish's may begin evacuations as early as Saturday, but most likely will be Sunday.

[Guru]

Who is gonna stay and feed the alligators?
Sorry, it's just a question that somebody out here seems to ask every hour or so.

[Snatch]

Hermi, there's a new motel in Taylorsville if you don't want to go to Forest. I passed it the other day. There's a Huddle House next door to it too.