Thread for those staying put in NOLA

[crabbyhermit]

I know the TV news is showing a massive evac out the of city, but from the looks of the Walmart, hardware stores, and groceries I went to today, just as many are probably staying. Anybody in or around NOLA who has decided to stay, I'm interested in knowing the reasons why you're not leaving. Please post.

btw, a neighbor of mine just returned home after sitting in traffic for hours. He says he plans to leave again in the middle of the night when traffic is flowing better.

[Geoff Stormcloud]

i have to work.

[HardCard]

Because the landfall that is likely in Gulfport will make Nola windy rainy, floody, but not the end of world.

[Windy]

The radio suggested some obvious/not-so-obvious things to make sure to do before you crawl in your house and hope not to die. One is to make sure you have all your crap picked up in your yard -- including things like garbage cans. The second is to go to your nearest street storm drain and make sure it's not clogged up with debris. It may not make a difference, but it may.

Lastly, and this is just my suggestion, if you're sticking around, it would be a good idea to take a moment to PRAY.

[TheShrimper]

Landfall for Charley was supposed to be 100 miles to my north. As it turned out, I could literally piss from my back door to where the eyewall came in. If that aint convincing enough, then stay where you are at.

[HardCard]

I just stocked my yard will piles of broken beer bottle, randon shards of rusted metal, and about 100 thin, lightweight pvc tubes.

[crabbyhermit]

I know it could still come here, but my gut feeling is that it will land east of here, though it might be close. I'm prepared for a windy, noisy and probably scarey time, but I think the house I'm in will make it through ok. Plus I'm on relatively high ground in the city.

I have picked up all my outside stuff, but wasn't able to board up windows. But I'm sorta protected by houses on either side. (Houses in uptown NOLA tend to be real close together, like 6 feet apart.)

I'm sure all the nuns in the city have the prayers to Our Lady of Prompt Succor cranked up!

[soonertwister]

Well one thing is fairly certain. If NOLA becomes a landfall point for Ivan, we probably won't be hearing from him/her again.

[TheShrimper]

You better get your ass outta there pal, this is not a GD joke!

[skyking]

My son has been stuck in traffic for 9 hours trying to
get to the airport to pick up a rent a car so he can get out, he lives on Royal street. I am afraid he is stuck now.
Where can he go for shelter that will be safe from flooding.
Concerned parent .

[HardCard]

guysmlighten up a litlle.. i was just kidding.. actually I had to clean my neighbors yard... jerk evaced and left junk everywhere

[soonertwister]

Just to add a little note. The probability of the center of Ivan passing within 65 nm of New Orleans is currently put at 22% by NHC. The chance for Mobile is 26%. Obviously it's a HUGE difference, right?

I'd say that sustained winds 65 miles from the center of Ivan at landfall will likely be somewhere in the range of 100-125 knots at landfall (115 - 145 mph), with gusts ranging from 135 to 190 mph.

And storm surge at that distance probably wouldn't be any more than 15-25 feet.

[Steve]

LOL Card. I've got the beer iced down myself. I'm looking for a couple of days of walks in the park myself. party on

TPSteve

[Guest]

that would still put new orleans under water...

[zoeyann]

Skyking I'm sorry to here that your son had a rough time in traffic, but I have heard traffic has been clearing out so he may be able to get out now. If you check the WWL site there should be a list of shleter openings

[Cape Verde]

If the reports about a ridge north of Ivan firming up are true, Hurricane preps for New Orleans residents consist of two things: buying a life jacket and notifying next of kin in advance.

[soonertwister]

My son has been stuck in traffic for 9 hours trying to
get to the airport to pick up a rent a car so he can get out, he lives on Royal street. I am afraid he is stuck now.
Where can he go for shelter that will be safe from flooding.
Concerned parent .

Any sturdy building that has been protected from wind damage by being boarded up, far enough above the ground that he is above levee level.

Since it's so late, he's likely stuck in the city. He should contact his neighborhood emergency management contact for guidance. All he has to do to find that person is just ask around until someone can give him an answer.

Good luck to all of you who have not evacuated. Chances are far greater that you will not sustain a devastating hit than that you will. Keep your faith and your wits about you, and by all means get a good night's sleep tonight. It's possible that it could be the last chance for that for some days to come.

[HardCard]

i have yet to see any educated proof of the ridge forming. If it does look like it's so, I will bug out overnight/in the morn.. IU have a place to go that is about 150 miles away...

Should be ok to evac in the morn at the latest.

[Windy]

i have yet to see any educated proof of the ridge forming. If it does look like it's so, I will bug out overnight/in the morn.. IU have a place to go that is about 150 miles away...

Should be ok to evac in the morn at the latest.

The mayor has already said that all roads out of NOLA will be closed by 12 noon tomorrow at the latest. Good luck!

[wabbitoid]

Basically, if it's Gulfport the storm surge is backed up into Pontchartrain*. Then as the storm moves inland, the hurricane force winds come from the north, trying to push all that water through New Orleans to the Gulf from whence it came.

It could be very bad.

* this marks the first time I spelled it right -- I think.