An Ol' Broad's Ramblings

Gustav

30 August 2008, 9:34 pm. 4 Comments. Filed under Weather.

Nagin Orders Mandatory Evacuation of New Orleans as Gustav Approaches

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered the mandatory evacuation of New Orleans, while Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal warned residents that the state “could see flooding worse than Hurricane Katrina,” as Gustav approached the Gulf Coast.

The announcement turned informal advice to flee from Gustav into an official order to get out.

Nagin said Saturday that the evacuation becomes mandatory at 8 a.m. Sunday on the city’s vulnerable west bank. It becomes mandatory on the east bank at noon.

“This is the real deal, not a test,” Nagin said as he issued the order, warning residents that staying would be “one of the biggest mistakes of your life.” He emphasized that the city will not offer emergency services to anyone who chooses to stay behind.

The announcement comes as officials continued to evacuate the elderly, disabled, poor and others without means ahead of Gustav’s march toward the Gulf Coast.

“[This is] as bad as it gets,” the Republican governor said, quoting the National Weather Service.

An estimated 1 million residents fled the Gulf Coast Saturday, ahead of any official evacuation order, according to the Associated Press, but after the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and part of Texas.

I do pray for the safety and well being of those in any of the affected areas.  Perhaps it’ll disipate, or change direction?

My question for the “chocolate city mayor”, why the hell didn’t you do this when you had so much warning before Katrina hit?

Update: Just heard on the local news (Memphis) tomorrow I-55 and I-59 will be totally – all lanes -one way….north!  They interviewed one gentleman, who just broke my heart.  He just moved back into his home a couple of weeks ago, and now he may lose it again.

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4 Comments »

  1. TexasFred. 30 August 2008, 10:09 pm

    Nearly all members of the 256th BCT are in NOLA right now, including my Son…

    They have them *staged* at the NOLA Airport in preparation to moving them to devastated areas…

    And there will be devastation…

  2. olbroad. 30 August 2008, 10:14 pm

    @TexasFred:

    Saying prayers for all them Fred! Did your other young’uns leave?

  3. Pastor John. 30 August 2008, 10:16 pm

    I think what Mr. Mayor is showing here is that he did in fact learn his lesson; as costly as it was.

  4. olbroad. 30 August 2008, 10:28 pm

    @Pastor John:

    One can only hope, Pastor. Then again, perhaps Jindal kicked him in the hind end, and told him he better remove his head from his hinder, and git it in gear! Heh.