ETA 18 hrs

I decided last night to head from Crowley/Lafayette to Lake Charles to help Leigh Ann move all of her stuff up the the second floor after seeing that Lake Charles would be under a mandatory evacuation. The only people that would be allowed into the city after noon today would have to have official I.D., a letter from an employer, and a 24 hour contact number.




This is what it looks like when everything downstairs, moves upstairs...




They're definetly not playing around or taking any chances this time. There is a lot of tough talk from officials(as there should be) that no one will be assisted if they choose to ignore mandatory evacuations, and that looters will be arrested and sent to Angola prison, no questions asked, no warnings.



"MANDATORY EVACUATION NOW IN EFFECT!" On the corner of Lake street and Prien Lake, one of the busiest intersections in Lake Charles - only 3 other cars at noon. Advertising billboards converted to public service advisories.



It's looking like the Gustav will make landfall as a catagory 3 just to the west of New Orleans and to the south of Lafayette. Our local meteorologist said that it isn't outside the realm of possibility that the eye may pass right over us. We would see 70+ mile an hour winds cease in an instant, the rain stop, the sun come out - and within 30 minutes, the winds and rain instantly pick up again on the other side of the rotation.






But for now, everything looks great, its been a really nice day - we BBQ'd, filled up the generator, gassed up the chainsaws, put 4 gallons of water near the toilet labled "for toilet," and taped up the seams of the front door. I think we're ready - which is good, because it's 7:30 and I just heard the first bit of thunder.


Yes, that is U.S. Postal Service tape...


A caravan of school busses full of evacuees near my house.