Outside looking in…
We’ve relocated to Apalachicola FL, staying in the Rancho Inn (American Owned, the sign says) and have secured mixers for the rum and other needed supplies. We’ll likely head up to Tallahassee and stay with friends for the next night or so.
We got out about 3:30 this morning, taking my business inventory as well. I don’t know when I’ll get back in production (I’m in the food processing business), so I figured I’d sell what I had on me to clients in Florida. So farso good, taking in $350 today alone.I found refrigeration space for the rest, fow now.
Not much traffic on the way out, as early as it was, and pretty much smooth sailing all the way to Florida. Part of me felt glad to be leaving, but another part felt like a quitter on my city and yet a third part was missing the action. No matter — we’re here now and don’t know when we’ll be able to get back. My experience tells me two weeks without power and a wait of at least several days before they’ll begin letting us back in.
Weather Channel — shut up with the same crap over and over. Please.
Pulled into the Florida Welcome Station on I-10 and nearly all the other plates were from Louisiana. All of us started saying “Go Saints” and stuff. Kinda of a rolling fraternity.
Stopped at the boat in Panama City to find the water already a good 2-3 feet higher than usual. Water is also up this far east and expected to rise a little more but not dangerously. It was weird to see California-type surfing waves in St. Joseph Bay, east of Panama City. Lots of surfers out to enjoy it too. We’re hearing about bad beach erosion in Walton County.
We’e determined to make this as much a vacation as we can, despite the budget limtations. I used to live in this part of the world, so I know the free stuff and the places to go. But they’re also recovering from Dennis back in early July. We have no idea what we’ll be going back to and, if predictions hold, my business location will be ruined. But y’know — it’s only stuff.
For now, we’ve got plenty of rum, some money, a pickup truck, a motel room with a pool, a box of Wheat Thins and a cooler half-full of smoked cheese. Life could be a hell of a lot worse.
But I miss my city and can’t wait to get back –regardless.
Related posts:
For those of you checking the fastest way to Baton Rouge is up 55 then get off at 190 west and the first chance get back on I-12 West(probably Albany). There is absolutely no traffic on I-12 West past Hammond. Looks like a normal Sunday afternoon.
If you take I-10 it’ll probably take you 4 or 5 hours. Contra-flow was stopped at 4pm CDT.
BTW-Looks bad for N.O. The storm should pass just east of the city and through Slidell. The Miss coast(Pass Christian to Biloxi) is going to take a beating. I have friends that live off of Henderson Point and they had gone up I-59(contra-flow).
We’re in Baton Rouge and probably will get some rain and 50 mph winds.
Good luck, you’re in our thoughts. Hope you return to your home and find it safe and sound.
Anna
Greenville, SC
“Weather Channel — shut up with the same crap over and over. Please.”
Ya know what…turn your damn TV off then. Not everyone may be as “fortunate” as you to be able to sit and swig rum all night and get THAT sick of watching the TV. Some of us are relying on that as our ONLY source of information while we are away.
The people at the Weather Channel put themselves in harms way to bring us the information we need while we…and yeah, that includes YOU…evacuate.
Get over yourself, buddy. We are all in this game together.
I’m a Loyola alum, now living in Orange County. I’m following this very closely.
‘The people at the Weather Channel put themselves in harms way to bring us the information we need while we…and yeah, that includes YOU…evacuate.”
Rubbish. Idiots getting wet doesn’t inform at all. You can’t see squat behind them except rain - what info are the people at the beach telling you that CNN, MSNBC, etc. are not?
Weather channel field personnel are disaster-chasing idiots who never inform.
How are you all holding up?
I’m in Pa watching all of this on the internet when I should be slaving away for the state…. our fingers are crossed and we’re keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers….
You did the right thing leaving…. I knw its tough and I know you’re broke- but you are ALIVE!!!!!! (They have already lost people on the outer islands who didn’t and the death toll will only rise)
GOD BLESS NEW ORLEANS!!!!!
Thank you for your excellent coverage throughout the night. I watched from home in Shallotte, NC with interest for I attended grad school at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I still have many friends in the area.
Thanks Again,
Ken Smith
get off the weather channel!!!!! it only becomes reptitive if you geek on it all night they never know when that desperate person is going to tune in to see what is happening if they didnt repeat their info people would miss something!!!! get what info you need and move on glad everything is ok with your smoked cheese and rum. “god bless us all ”
Johnny Gadget
(ILLINOIS)
To all my hotel buddies in New Orleans…just know that we are all thinking of you and you are in our prayers….
Margaret
Hand tight everyone. Millions are praying for you.
I have family that could not get out in Bogaloosa. We Yankee’s are truely worried about them. They are not Spring Chickens anymore.
According to various news sites, New Orleans survived. However, I have not seen a report from Gulfport in quite a while. A weather team was stationed there, 27 feet above sea level and had water rising there. Also, there are reports that two parishes (eg, counties) in Louisiana are under 30 feet of water.
I love New Orleans, and am thankful that it seems their prayers were answered. But I fear and pray for those in harm’s way. I’d like any word about Gulfport - 27 feet and flooding… Also the two parishes in Louisiana that are underwater.
I worked for the Red Cross for years and the motto with hurricanes was, it’s not the wind, it’s the flood that kills. I hope that all are safe and life loss is minimal.
Just heard that there is now more reported flooding in NO, so it seems they are not out of the woods yet.
Also, Gulfport update - much flooding and widespread damage. Mobile also has areas under water.
I think we’ll only know the true extent once pictures and video are available.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in NOLA and Mississippi.