Concern for New Orleans, and fellow Buzzers

cofan, hurricanes are nature's (imperfect) way of releasing heat from the tropics and dispersing it into cooler parts of the planet. If you're really concerned about global warming, tear up your driver's license and shut off your computer.

Hurricanes have always occurred, but scientists have noticed that there seems to be a pattern to the intensity-- there are phases of 15-20 years or so with intense activity and then a phase of 15-20 years of little activity. Unfortunately, the 90's and 00's have been a phase of intense activity.

They're also greatly concerned about the number of chemical and petroleum facilities in the area. If they get destroyed, the potential contamination is unimaginable.

Although it's nothing compared to what the people along the gulf coast are facing, I would advise folks to fill your gas tanks ASAP. It's been reported that because a number of oil rigs have been abandoned and distribution and refining will be affected, the price of crude may exceed $70/barrel by Monday.

My thoughts and prayers for the people who are unable to leave, and those who leave not knowing what they'll have to come back to.

Scary stuff. For as much as I complain about the weather her in Northeast Ohio, at least we don't have to worry about hurricanes, floods, landslides or earthquakes. Three or four really difficult winter days on average is as bad as it gets here.

Scary stuff though. Feels like this one came out of nowhere. The even more scary thing is that the next 24 hours are almost insignificant compared to the next several weeks or months.

My prayers go out to all the people who are trapped in the city and won't be able to escape the storm, and also to those that may loose their homes and belongings.

Several years ago I saw a documentary on how New Orleans- due to it's topography and location, would be near destroyed if a strong hurricane happened to come through the area. Guess this is what it was talking about.

Here in Northeast Mississippi the Weather Service has said that we can expect 45-50 mph winds (sustained) and 80-100 mph gust, and that is being 3 hours from the coast (Biloxi)! They are expecting the eye to come just west of us on Monday day/night.

I haven't waited around. I've tied things down and brought some things in (the things that didn't get blown away during Ivan last year) so hopefully all will be okay once its all over.

~josh

Josh, I am keeping you and Brandi in my thoughts. I was wondering how much was expected in your area.

I am now watching these nutsos who are surfing the Alabama shores.

WHAT. THE. F***!!!!!!!!!!!

These dudes are insane!

Sure, it was fun seeing it in the Point Break movie but these guys are obviously going to lose their lives.

I admit I am a thrillseeker but I have no desire to commit suicide, even if it's unintentional. WHY?

-Tina

*** Edited 8/28/2005 11:06:17 PM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

Just saw the onsite reporter in NO for the Weather Channel. He was saying that even if the eye goes to the east of New Orleans, and they're on the backside of the hurricane, the winds could still drive the water from Lake Ponchitrain over the levees and down into the city. Those poor folks just can't win. Sounds like they're going to get it from one side or the other.

A note on one of the local weather stations I was watching this afternoon (could've been from either New York or Philly, not sure which) noted that this storm was a Category 5 by virtue of the fact that storms are only ranked that high on the scale -- and that, if there was such a thing as a Category 6 storm, this would be it. It's a terrifying thing to have to be confronted with, and my thoughts are with those still around and trying to get out.

I agree to keep not just buzzers but all people in the prayers for the next few days, at least it didnt happen when they get all that tourism, for mardi gras. I know that is impossible, but still something that can potentially cripple a whole city for more than a few weeks is scary. People are losing alot down there, and they are helpless to it. Its a damn shame, seems like this has happened alot as of late, plus im sure their are the few who will challenge nature, its not smart, after seeing the psunami a few months ago.

Its not. Its because of the global warming. Just use your head. Put 2 and 2 together. Yes but still lets pray for them.

I'm friends with a few CBuzzers in the NO area so my thoughts and prayers are with you guys!

My prayers go out to all in any region to be touched by the hurricane.

One interesting way that I've always thought of it (living in MD I don't really have to deal with hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.) is like riding at top speed on TTD (or I suppose KK for that matter). Just look at pictures of how peoples faces are. And thats only at speeds of around 120MPH or so. Just imagine that howling around for a good deal of time....

It's not necessarily global warming, because storms like this only happen once every 50 years or so...either way, this is going to be a catostrophic event, that could see the entire city of New Orleans under water, not just Six Flags New Orleans...god help them all.

This has little, if anything, to do with Global Warming, and everything to do with the fact that, hey!, it is Hurricane Season. Jeesh.

Hoping the best for all that are stuck down there!

^And the scary thing is that the peak of the hurricane season has yet to come! We haven't made it to the middle and look what has come our way so far. Hopefully the remainder of the season will be not as active as the first half.

The forcast models put this storms path right over my area (south central KY) and it even has me worried. There have been estimates that hurricane force winds and power outages can be felt as far north as Nashville and that's a bit too close for comfort for my tates!

--edit for additonal comments *** Edited 8/29/2005 2:51:27 AM UTC by Joey Stewart***

My thoughts and prayers are with all of those in NOLA and the surrounding areas. God Bless!!!

Kristi

Hi all,

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I am with my fiance's family in GA so we are safe. But, I'm very worried for my fiance. Many professionals of different types (cops, fireman, Drs, nurses, etc.) are required to stay, and she is one. As said above she is miles north of the lake, so from the true southern coast, she's 80 or 90 miles north. BUT...that doesn't mean a whole lot.

Do keep her, and all in harms way in your prayers. I don't know how I am going to sleep until I know she is safe when it's over....I wanted to stay with her, but it wasn't an option. On a selfish note, I hope our house and posessions will be ok, and our wedding will be able to proceed as planned late next month.

I'm glad that we have technologies today like doplar radar and computer models so that the warning could get out days in advance other wise there might be millions dead in this case. I hope everyone makes it through this one ok as this storm is nasty.

Good lord.

The news just said that tidal surges could reach up to 25ft and with the New Orleans area being under sea level, that will magnify even larger in those low lying areas.

This could potentially wipe New Orleans off the map. Of course they will re-build but this city isn't going to be the same again.

They say that the Superdome can withstand 200mph winds. Since this will be used as a shelter and this structure has never actually been through something this intense, I pray it withstands with all those people in it.

Thoughts and prayers for that area.

Chi - the report that they were using the Superdome as a shelter really worried me. It does NOT seem to me as someone with structural training, that a large expanse of a dome is something that would easily withstand ANY sort of wind ... honestly, I could care less what those calculators say!

To make matters worse, they just issued a Tornado Warning for Orleans Parish ... wow, what a mess.

And I hate to deflect from those folks down along the coast, but this one's going to be bad all along it's route. I heard that there's going to be sustained tropical storm force winds as far inland as TN and KY. Ivan did a number on my area (Pittsburgh), I can just imagine what this one's gonna do ... I hope everyone along the route until this thing's back out in the Atlantic stays safe!

... anyone seen that the next one just was born east of the Carribbean islands?

Put it this way. THey are currently shipping over 10,000 body bags to NO right now.

If a cat 4 hits the city, they think 6-8k would die within the 1st day or two. THe surge would overflow the pumps, and the sewers would back up. This will cause several thousand more deaths. And that's just all within the city limits.

God I wish Lauren was with me now.