Hello everyone. I'm using my DIL's computer briefly. We are still in New Roads, LA, with no power. The storm was bad here. The eye-wall passed over us. Lots of trees down, but the two houses here are fine. All my family are safe, and all our houses came through with minor or no damage. Thanks be to God!
The eye of the storm passed over Houma, LA, and inflicted major damage. My town, Thibodaux, LA, suffered a lot of damage, too. We do not have power, and the water goes off for a brief period each evening, but comes back on pretty quickly. It's hot and raining still. We are beginning to run out of supplies, but no stores are open yet.
The FEMA blue tarpaulins that Fran mentioned were in Texas until this morning when 50,000 arrived in Louisiana. I don't understand why they were not in Louisiana before the storm. Many folks have roof damage and could have used them earlier I can't verify this either, but there was a trailer on Channel 9 out of Baton Rouge yesterday, saying that no tarps had arrived in LA yet. That delay makes me angry.
Our governor is getting his baptism by fire. When he was told that it could be weeks before power could be restored in certain areas, he said that was "unacceptable". I had to laugh. That's like stamping your feet in a temper tantrum. If anyone is truly working it's the utility people, clearing away fallen trees and branches so they can work to restore power. It's a roll of the dice to decide whether New Roads or Thibodaux will have power restored first, so we may return to Thibodaux tomorrow.
So. Here I am hot and cranky, with only one local TV channel, not knowing what's going on in the big world out there. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and concern. The prayers worked!
I posted by accident at OCICBOV and decided to leave it there ans post here, too.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Where In The World is Grandmere Mimi?
She is still somewhere near or around New Roads.
Power is off.
Weather is hot.
Generator will not give enough power to run clothes dryer.
Wet dirty clothes do not dry in the humidity.
Water is off - then on - then off.
No cell phones.
Local TV reports.
Food running low, no stores open. They are still ok however.
This is far from the coast and they still got hammered by the storm.
And she is deeply grateful.
That's our Mimi.
Grandpere has made a run back to Thibodaux and will return to New Roads. No power on in either location.
Mimi really wanted me to blog about FEMA Tarps that were stuck in Texas by mistake and only just got to Louisiana. She was REALLY angry about this.
Sadly I could not find a link - if someone else can, Mimi wants it blogged about.
Mimi is very disturbed at the way the RNC is going and is desirous of wanting to act and not react, for Democrats to be strong and not defensive.
That's something we can all agree on.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday Evening Update from Fran
My good blogfriend Dcup put a comment in for me on the last post as I was away from home for hours and Dcup's cellphone was readily available.
Actually I was on the phone with D... her name is Lisa actually and Mimi called but it must have gone straight to voicemail. Lisa knows I would have hung up on her for Mimi!
Anyway - all is well, but no power and phone service is intermittent due to busy circuits. I actually did continue to try to reach Grandmere but busy busy busy circuit signals.
They seem to be doing okay and holding up, but the storm was very bad, even up in New Roads.
Thanks and prayers to all, for all.
Fran
Actually I was on the phone with D... her name is Lisa actually and Mimi called but it must have gone straight to voicemail. Lisa knows I would have hung up on her for Mimi!
Anyway - all is well, but no power and phone service is intermittent due to busy circuits. I actually did continue to try to reach Grandmere but busy busy busy circuit signals.
They seem to be doing okay and holding up, but the storm was very bad, even up in New Roads.
Thanks and prayers to all, for all.
Fran
4pm Eastern - Monday - From Fran
It is Monday at 4pm and I have not heard from Mimi today. I tried her cell and it went straight to voicemail and the house phone at New Roads just gets a fast busy.
I am presuming that the winds took out the phone service and the lack of power (they do have a small generator) explains the no cell phone.
She sounded good around 7pm last night, but I hear the winds were bad.
Let's hope that the old adage of "no news is good news" is the order of the day. I just wanted to put this up as I am about to head out for the rest of the day and evening.
Prayers for Mimi and family, for all dealing with this storm, and for all those gathered here.
I am presuming that the winds took out the phone service and the lack of power (they do have a small generator) explains the no cell phone.
She sounded good around 7pm last night, but I hear the winds were bad.
Let's hope that the old adage of "no news is good news" is the order of the day. I just wanted to put this up as I am about to head out for the rest of the day and evening.
Prayers for Mimi and family, for all dealing with this storm, and for all those gathered here.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Update From Grandmere Mimi via Fran Part II
UPDATE: The worst is behind Mimi and her family. They did lose power however and the house that they are staying in did get a lot of water coming in, which they kept cleaning and mopping up.
She does not know when they can return to home - she will keep me posted and I will keep you all posted.
A neighbor at home said their house looks ok, but they are anxious to see how things are inside.
Mimi said that this was as bad as Andrew, which was bad. There are tons of tree limbs down everywhere.
Again - she is deeply grateful for all of the prayers, thoughts and good wishes.
Fran
She does not know when they can return to home - she will keep me posted and I will keep you all posted.
A neighbor at home said their house looks ok, but they are anxious to see how things are inside.
Mimi said that this was as bad as Andrew, which was bad. There are tons of tree limbs down everywhere.
Again - she is deeply grateful for all of the prayers, thoughts and good wishes.
Fran
Update from Mimi Via Fran
Mimi called me a couple of hours ago. Things were going ok. They were fine and had power - the lights did flicker a few times, but that was it.
Her kids - both with her and not, all seemed fine where they were, her son in Thibodaux (am I spelling that right?) was doing ok riding out the storm and still had power. Her son-in-law in River Ridge was the same.
One thing that Mimi was concerned about was the Industrial Canal and the barges that had come loose and fears that the Upper 9th Ward might flood.
Another good thing in Mimi's mind was that the GOP convention seemed to go kaput with the storm!
Mimi expressed again her overwhelming thanks and awe at how much we love her. We are not surprised though, are we????
And then Mimi wanted to know how Jane was. I was able to report that Jane was in the process of moving into her new home in record speed and that both Jane and Bishop Maya were holding up remarkably.
Of course Mimi wanted to call Jane to make sure that she was ok... Just like our generous Grandmere to do so! (I have also spoken to Jane today and she seems great, all things considered.)
What a community we have built here - it kind of knocks me down too. Thanks be to God!
Maybe Mimi will log on later and update us more. In the meantime that is it for now.
Her kids - both with her and not, all seemed fine where they were, her son in Thibodaux (am I spelling that right?) was doing ok riding out the storm and still had power. Her son-in-law in River Ridge was the same.
One thing that Mimi was concerned about was the Industrial Canal and the barges that had come loose and fears that the Upper 9th Ward might flood.
Another good thing in Mimi's mind was that the GOP convention seemed to go kaput with the storm!
Mimi expressed again her overwhelming thanks and awe at how much we love her. We are not surprised though, are we????
And then Mimi wanted to know how Jane was. I was able to report that Jane was in the process of moving into her new home in record speed and that both Jane and Bishop Maya were holding up remarkably.
Of course Mimi wanted to call Jane to make sure that she was ok... Just like our generous Grandmere to do so! (I have also spoken to Jane today and she seems great, all things considered.)
What a community we have built here - it kind of knocks me down too. Thanks be to God!
Maybe Mimi will log on later and update us more. In the meantime that is it for now.
Monday Morning Report
Wind and rain are starting up but not bad yet. I hope that the effects of the storm will be less serious than we expected. My son in Thibodaux still has electric power.
PJ in the comments below, said that Thibodaux is nearly in the Gulf. Check out Houma, where my other son lives. That's why he's moving to Thibodaux when his son finishes high school.
I'm feeling a little more optimistic than previously, but we've not seen the worst yet.
New Orleans seems to have come through pretty well, although I remember Mayor Ray Nagin's famous, "We dodged the bullet...." after Katrina and before the levees broke.
The problem I'm hearing about now is that the storm is slowing down along the Louisiana coast, meanwhile pushing in water from the Gulf and dropping a good bit of rain, increasing the threat of flooding.
PJ in the comments below, said that Thibodaux is nearly in the Gulf. Check out Houma, where my other son lives. That's why he's moving to Thibodaux when his son finishes high school.
I'm feeling a little more optimistic than previously, but we've not seen the worst yet.
New Orleans seems to have come through pretty well, although I remember Mayor Ray Nagin's famous, "We dodged the bullet...." after Katrina and before the levees broke.
The problem I'm hearing about now is that the storm is slowing down along the Louisiana coast, meanwhile pushing in water from the Gulf and dropping a good bit of rain, increasing the threat of flooding.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Overwhelmed!
Hearing of all the prayers from the different congregations this morning is overwhelming. Thanks to you all. They are much appreciated.
As the storm moves inland, it loses strength, so even if it comes close to us, the wind strength will be less, maybe 85 mph, not fun, but I've been through that before when we stayed in our house for Hurricane Andrew. We survived. It's raining here, and the wind has picked up a bit, but nothing bad, yet. We'll likely lose power soon. Please pray for my son and grandchildren who stayed behind in Thibodaux. We get periodic updates from them by phone.
I'm afraid my poor New Orleans will be affected by this storm, too, but perhaps not as badly as with Katrina.
Fran love thanks for being such a brick and taking the time to post here.
Love and blessings.
As the storm moves inland, it loses strength, so even if it comes close to us, the wind strength will be less, maybe 85 mph, not fun, but I've been through that before when we stayed in our house for Hurricane Andrew. We survived. It's raining here, and the wind has picked up a bit, but nothing bad, yet. We'll likely lose power soon. Please pray for my son and grandchildren who stayed behind in Thibodaux. We get periodic updates from them by phone.
I'm afraid my poor New Orleans will be affected by this storm, too, but perhaps not as badly as with Katrina.
Fran love thanks for being such a brick and taking the time to post here.
Love and blessings.
Update from a Phone Message
Mimi called when I was away from my phone and left a message. I tried her back, but did not get her directly. She had called at about 8:15pm eastern.
Her voicemail said that things were calm so far where they all are. She was VERY happy to report that her daughter had made it safely to Pensacola. The traffic was bad, but apparently her son-in-law found a different route and they made it.
She may do some posting from that other computer, but did not have immediate access tonight, so here I am with this update.
Prayers for one and all as this storm approaches.
Fran
Her voicemail said that things were calm so far where they all are. She was VERY happy to report that her daughter had made it safely to Pensacola. The traffic was bad, but apparently her son-in-law found a different route and they made it.
She may do some posting from that other computer, but did not have immediate access tonight, so here I am with this update.
Prayers for one and all as this storm approaches.
Fran
Hi All
Hi all. I am using my daughter-in-law's computer here in New Roads. Thanks for all the kind messages. As of now, the storm seems to be headed very near to Thibodaux. My son and two grandchildren will ride it out in Thibodaux. I'm sorry about that, but all I can do now is pray for them. My daughter is on her way to Pensacola with her three boys, but I believe she will be a long time getting there. Traffic is horrendous. Her husband is in NOLA with the animals. During Katrina, we were all together here, but now everyone is scattered. Lord, have mercy.
I went to church here this morning, which was a comfort. The stores here are stripped bare. I'm not sure why. Maybe there are other evacuees here, or maybe the locals are getting nervous, because winds here could be as strong as 85 mph.
The only good news for now is that the Gustav's winds are now at 115 mph instead of 140 as they were previously. No matter where the storm makes landfall, the coastal areas of Louisiana will be flooded.
I'll post when I can.
PS: Bush/Cheney will not be at the Republican Convention. John McCain is very likely pleased.
I went to church here this morning, which was a comfort. The stores here are stripped bare. I'm not sure why. Maybe there are other evacuees here, or maybe the locals are getting nervous, because winds here could be as strong as 85 mph.
The only good news for now is that the Gustav's winds are now at 115 mph instead of 140 as they were previously. No matter where the storm makes landfall, the coastal areas of Louisiana will be flooded.
I'll post when I can.
PS: Bush/Cheney will not be at the Republican Convention. John McCain is very likely pleased.
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