New Orleans was under a flash flood warning this morning, and remains under a flash flood watch. I nearly jumped out of my skin when my phone got the flash flood warning push notification - my phone's sound was on and it sounded like a freaking fire alarm!

The mayor ordered all government buildings and schools closed, and told people to stay home and shelter-in-place. I live only a block from my office, so I went in (as did most of my coworkers, including one who lives in Metairie, which is a bit of a drive).

Someone remind me why I moved here??? Oh, yeah, job.

Fortunately, we are only getting the outer rain bands, and the pumps are functioning adequately, so, for New Orleans, this is not "another Katrina" - more like a shit-ton of rain.

For the people in Houston and the surrounding area, all I can do is pray. :(

Our area of south Louisiana was under a Tropical Storm Warning. We only had about 7 inches of rain here in our Parish.

The interesting part of the storm coverage in the New Orleans area, is what local official is not speaking and giving information about the event.

Sigma Pi at UH has evacuated and relocated onto campus, according to its Twitter page.

On a personal note, all of my family members in Texas are safe, although a few fled the area and are awaiting word to go back home. Prayers for everyone affected.

This does not surprise me, given the flooding that happened earlier this month after a heavy rain. "Oh, the pumps are all working fine ... um ... er ... yeah, not so much." The Sewerage and Water Board got caught with their pants down.