Hurricane Lili - well wishing thread
 

My prayers go out to those who will be affected by this Category 4 hurricane. Keep safe! Here's some Greek love coming your way...:D

Yes, keep safe to all greeks and non-greeks!!! Hurricanes are no joking matter

As a resident of Texas, i have been through one category 4 in my life (at least that i can remember) and it was scary !!! i didn't live *right* on the coast, but close enough to it.. i was just lucky it didn't too much damage.

my boyfriend is on his way to galveston right now to take an exam :( i'm so worried, but he will be staying with friends of ours there, and i know they will all take the necessary precautions.

OMG, hurricane Lili-- that is all everyone has been talking about all day. Of course, it is expected to hit Lake Charles, but you never know. I didnt know it was a category 4 hurricane. Kind of scary, although I have never experienced a hurricane- sounds exciting! ;) I know, im crazy because a teeny tiny part of me wants it to come to Houston where im at. That would mean i wouldnt have to go to work! :D

I dont think it will hit here, but you never know. Wherever it does hit though, i wish everyone safety and protection!

I hope all the gc'ers in the path are heading to higher ground. I heard on the news that it will cause extreme damage up to 10 miles inland. up to 80 miles inland moderate to heavy damage.

bucutie, yep it can be exciting, but don't go running outside to take pictures if it happens to head your way!!

:o

Well I guess you could say I'm kinda in the path... LSU has shut down for the next two days as have many of the schools and businesses in south Louisiana. It's already starting to get nasty around here. The wind is picking up and the rain is about to start. I think a lot of Baton Rouge residents were jaded by Isidore's lackluster showing last week. I know alot of people who are staying in town and act like they aren't worried about Lili. SCREW THAT!!!! I'm headed home. I only live 30 minutes east of Baton Rouge but that's better than being right here and bearing the brunt of the storm. I've been thru this before with Andrew and it's not fun. Lots of downed trees and debris and power was out for over a week. Plus my dad ended up with 3rd degree burns on his arm from taking care of debris after the storm had passed. So anyways...thanks for all the well wishes. We need all the prayers and thoughts we can get down here because Lili looks like she's gonna be a nasty storm. See y'all later!!!! I'm gettin the hell outta Dodge!!!!

Take care gal. Our prayers are with you, your friends and family. Catch me on Im if you can during the storm, if you have power and such.

Take care. Drop me a PM to let me know you're safe. Talked to my mom and grandma tonight(they live in New Orleans) and they are safe for the moment

I feel soooo bad for the LA residents, they are going to be hit so hard. My prayers are with them all.

I'm here in Galveston, and I don't think we'll get anything but alot of rain, and some wind-nothing too bad. Of course, I did have all my valuables packed by the door last night, just in case...
And Mr. ChiOJenn was screaming at me on the phone to "get the f@#k off that damn island"-then I calmed him down and reassured him that -unfortunately-Galveston isn't going to get anything.(I say unfortunately, since I hate Galveston and want it to get blown away :D )

It looks like when the storm hits it will only be a category 3..yeah ONLY...

I got the hell out of Baton Rouge today - went home to a suburb of New Orleans. If the big one is coming, I'd at least like to be with family.

<semi-hurricane related rant>
How's this for obnoxious and unsafe: Boyfriend started new job today. He'll be doing some computer work for dredges out by Morgan City once in awhile. Main office is in Covington. Supervisor lives in Gonzales (a 'burb of Baton Rouge). The supervisor had him follow him TO HIS HOUSE, park his car there, and then head on to Morgan City (where the hurricane was heading for!!!) So on the way back, the guy didn't have to commute - he was home. And left my boy with a 2 hour+ drive home with everyone getting out of Baton Rouge.

:mad: I don't care that I've never met this person - I can't stand ANYONE who puts my baby in danger like that!

I hope he gets a call from another company he'd applied with. Its a job that doesn't require any travel or unsafe stuff like this. The 40K they're paying him for this SO isn't worth it :mad:
</semi-hurricane related rant>

I hope y'all stay safe!

looks like galveston will only get a bunch of rain/wind. i have been watching the weather channel like a lunatic because my sweetie is in galveston for the weekend and the friend he is staying with supposedly lives right there by the water.

everyone stay safe!!!!

Update...lol. Rain is starting to pick up but it's nothing compared to what's gonna happen later. My mom and I are at home by ourselves (dad and brother flew out to Wyoming today to go hunting). You'd think my mom was preparing for the apocalpyse with all of the food and water she bought. LOL. Thanks everybody for your kind words. It actually looks like Lili is losing some intensity. I noticed that she has sped up and the pressure has gone up. Always a good sign. I guess a 3 is better than a 4. LOL. People are predicting that our power may be out for over a week. EEK! Anyways...gonna go now. Gotta savor the last few hours of electricity and air conditioning we may have for awhile. LOL.

Allie

OH YEAH...one more thing...pleaseeeeeeee don't judge south Louisiana by the people that are shown on the news. I think juniorgrrl will agree with me in that they always pick the nastiest people out the bayou to be on national news when we have a hurricane or natural disaster. :)

Just got this from a sister...Everything is very very true and very very funny!!!

LOUISIANA HURRICANE SEASON NOTES

We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season.

Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person
pointing to some radar blob out in the Gulf of Mexico and making two
basic meteorological points:

(1) There is no need to panic.
(2) We could all be killed.

Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Louisiana.

If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to
do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big
one.''

Based on our experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple
three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

STEP 1. Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at
least three days.

STEP 2. Put these supplies into your car.

STEP 3. Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween.

Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this
sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Louisiana.

We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness
items:

HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE: If you own a home, you must have hurricane
insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as
long as your home meets two basic requirements:

(1) It is reasonably well-built, and
(2) It is located in Nebraska.

Unfortunately, if your home is located in South Louisiana, or any
other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance
companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because
then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly
not why they got into the insurance business in the first place. So
you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will
charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value
of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used
dental floss. Since Hurricane George, I have had an estimated 27
different home-insurance companies. This week, I'm covered by the Bob
and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in
addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to
my kidneys.

SHUTTERS: Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the
windows, all the doors, and -- if it's a major hurricane --all the
toilets. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and
disadvantages:

Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them
yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make
them yourself, they will fall off.

Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you
get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up,
your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use,
and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you
will have to sell your house to pay for them.

"Hurricane-proof'' windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane
protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand
hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says
so.(He lives in Nebraska.)

"Hurricane Proofing Your Property": As the hurricane approaches,
check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters,
patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc.. You should, as a
precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't
have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately).
Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly
missiles.

EVACUATION ROUTE: If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an
evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-
lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says "Louisiana,"
you live in a low-lying area.) The purpose of having an evacuation
route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits.
Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles
from your home, along with three hundred thousand other evacuees. So,
as a bonus, you will not be lonely.(Remember three days food supply
in your car. Now you know why!)

HURRICANE SUPPLIES: If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of
supplies. Do not buy them now! Louisiana tradition requires that you
wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and
get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of
SPAM.

In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:

23 flashlights. At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when
the power goes off, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.

Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows
what the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so GET some!)

A 55-gallon drum of underarm deodorant.

A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in
a hurricane, but it looks cool.)

A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask
anybody who went through Camille; after the hurricane, there WILL be
irate alligators.)

$35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you
can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth. Of course
these are just basic precautions.

As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep
abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching
TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell
you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay
away from the ocean.

Good luck, and remember: It's great living in Sportsman's Paradise!

Dude, TigerGal, Find some cover...

Hell to all y'all Lousianians, evacuate now to beautiful College Station. Me and my bros will be happy to put y'all up.

Come watch us as we beat the sand fleas from ITTech!!

Seriously, y'all be careful, be safe, and at your hurricane watching party, have a drink for me.

Kitso
KS 361

Our area has been spared the hit. Doesn't look good for Baton Rouge being on the east side!!! Thank heaven it has diminished (to SOME degree) looks like flooding will be the greaest factor and of course if you are in the path of the "eye"...

Take care everyone and lookout for high waters and tornadoes!

I'm praying that everyone comes out of this OK. If you live in that area please be careful and keep us updated (if you can)...

JAM, did your daughter come home so she will be safe?

Nope, she stayed. I was going nuts trying to reach her yesterday. They were out getting provisions. Talked to her last night, my worry now is that her car, #3, will get FLOODED!!!

Glad everything is ok justamom! I hope it's the same scenario for everyone else !!!

Great news, well I say great, I guess just better because some people will flood. It had picked up to a category four, now it is a two!! I'm in BR now and the wind is blowing pretty hard, but still have electricity and LSU is out till Monday!!!!!

By CAIN BURDEAU
.c The Associated Press

NEW IBERIA, La. (Oct. 3) - Less powerful but still dangerous, Hurricane Lili pounded low-lying Louisiana coastal towns with heavy wind and rain Thursday as it washed inland. Nearly a half-million people had been urged to flee.

The storm shut down the region's resort towns, all 12 of Mississippi's Gulf Coast casinos, NASA's Mission Control in Houston and the nation's biggest oil import terminal.

By daybreak, Lili had surprisingly weakened to become a Category 2 storm, with winds of 100 mph. That was a big relief to forecasters and Gulf Coast residents who had braced themselves at nightfall for a Category 4 storm.

''I'm the happiest person on the face of the earth to see this go down from a very powerful category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of over 140 mph,'' said Max Mayfield, director of the Hurricane Center in Miami. ''It's nowhere near where it was.''

The storm moved over Marsh Island about 8 a.m., then pressed northward onto the mainland. Mayfield said it would be into northwest Mississippi by Friday morning.

Shortly after 9 a.m., the eye passed over New Iberia, about 140 miles from New Orleans. Taylor Jackson, 19, a University of Louisiana-Monroe meteorology student, and three friends had driven down to New Iberia overnight in hopes of seeing the eye pass over.

''Actually, I was kind of hoping for the 145 miles per hour,'' said Jackson, standing with his arms outstretched and letting the gusts catch his green windbreaker.

Hurricane winds extend about 60 miles from the eye and were predicted to stay that strong up to 100 miles inland. The entire area also was under tornado warning.

If it had been a Category 4, he had said, it could have been the worst hurricane to hit the Louisiana coast since at least the mid-1940s, officials had said.

''It looks like we were lucky,'' said Gov. Mike Foster. He said he already has sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, asking for government assistance.

Scattered power failures, affecting an estimated 127,000 utility customers, were reported across the coast as the wind and rain increased.

Officials had said that a Category 4 storm could have created a life-threatening storm surge of up to 25 feet. Such a surge could have put 15 feet of water in some coastal towns and up to 8 feet of water in Abbeville, 20 miles inland.

Lili headed for Louisiana less than a week after Tropical Storm Isidore dumped more than 20 inches of rain and caused $100 million in flood damage. While Isidore did its damage with rain, Lili's wind and storm surge were the major threats.

About 143,000 people in Louisiana and 330,000 in Texas had been advised to leave, some for the second time in days after Isidore washed past New Orleans last week. Thursday morning, the evacuation advisory was lifted for the 250,000 residents of in one the two affected Texas counties, Jefferson.

Officials in 44 Louisiana parishes declared emergencies, with mandatory evacuations in 11 of them. Nearly 1,500 National Guardsmen were being deployed.

It was impossible to estimate the actual number who fled inland. Many hurricane veterans take refuge with friends and relatives, bypassing the evacuation centers. In Louisiana, 13,000 people spent the night in the state's 71 shelters.

Mayfield said it was difficult to analyze why the storm strengthened during the night but then weakened before landfall, but dry air from the west and cooler water near the shore were factors.

''A lot of Ph.Ds will be written about this,'' Mayfield said.

While Louisiana-plated cars streamed north and east, long lines of utility bucket trucks headed in the other direction to begin work once the hurricane passes. Utilities in 18 states, from Delaware to Indiana, sent more than 14,000 workers to Louisiana, a spokesman for the utility company Entergy said.

Some residents stayed. Steve Petty, 45, taped the windows of his Lake Charles home but did not board them up. Late Wednesday, he was watching baseball playoffs in one of the few open businesses - a bar and pool hall.

''I've been through Audrey and several others I can't remember the names of. I'm not freaking out, I'm not leaving town. I been through a lot worse,'' Petty said.

Others who stayed had no basis for comparison. David Westover, 27, a student from Ohio, was excited.

''I just think a hurricane would be a great thing to live through and write about,'' he said.

The storm sideswiped New Orleans with sporadic squalls. In the French Quarter early Thursday, Russell McCarey, also known as Banjo the Clown, was wearing a multicolored fright wig, taking refuge from the rain under a iron-lace balcony. McCarey and others like him are known to tourists for blowing up balloons and twisting them into animal shapes for tips.

''It'll clear up,'' he said. ''It don't rain that long in New Orleans. Otherwise, this place wouldn't be here. It would be Atlantis.''

In Texas, Gov. Rick Perry signed a disaster declaration and corrections officials moved more than 3,000 inmates to inland lockups.

Mission Control's shutdown meant nearly a week's delay in the shuttle launch that had been scheduled for Wednesday at Cape Canaveral, Fla. It was the first time in 41 years of manned spaceflight that the threat of bad weather in Houston delayed a Florida launch.

A hurricane warning remained in effect from just east of High Island, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana, and a tropical storm warning east of that to the Florida-Alabama line.

Earlier this week, Lili barreled through the Caribbean, killing eight people and driving tens of thousands of Cubans from their homes.

Stay safe and dry, everyone. :)

OK...in my book...Lili was one big fat disappointment. LOL. I was at least hoping for some rain. I came home to my mom's house to weather out the "storm" and we got nothing. It barely rained here. Just a little gusty and I've seen bigger gusts during thunderstorms. I just feel so bad for everybody in New Iberia and the Lafayette area. At least Lili lost some of her might before she hit land. It could have been a lot worse. Looks like everybody's well wishes worked this time. :)

I am so glad that Lili went down to a cat 2 when she hit land-thank god!! It could have been so much worse.

We didn't get anything here-no "tropical storm conditions", just heat and sun.

Funny story though, my mom called me up last night at 11:00 p.m screaming at me that the hurricane was going to "wobble" and it could hit here, and why hadn't I left? I was like-look, it's 11;00 p.m now, I have to wake up at 5:00 a.m for rotation tomorrow, what do you want me to do about it?? She made me get out of bed, and go fill up water jugs and every pot in the house with water :rolleyes: Whatever, crazy Mom....

We made it through just fine. Lost power for about 5 minutes, and a crepe myrtle tree got uprooted, but that's about it. Mom and I made quick work of sawing off all the branches to the tree so we could lift it back up (it was way too heavy with the top on).

We are all extremely thankful that we were spared what could have been such a terrible disaster.

glad to hear it worked out ok for you juniorgrrl

Well all of a sudden a downpour of rain came from nowhere. We had a little rain earlier today. Last week during the tropical storm classes were canceled on thursday. But by Thursday afternoon the sun was out. It was hilarious to me bc even though I came from Co, I never had a snow day and then in Fl i got a rain day. the storm didn't affect us in Pensacola that bad, that is why it was funny to me. I don't think hurricanes are something to laugh about, but in this case the storm wasn't that bad.