Gustav 1, Nola 0
Aug 31st, 2008 by Nola
I can hardly gather my thoughts to write. I got so little sleep because of my migraine. I “awoke” to the sound of the phone ringing. My hard-core uncle was calling to say they were leaving. I could feel the earth shake beneath me. I came into the den just in time to hear the news anchor say, “Get the hell outta here for the love of God,” then put his head in his hands and his co-anchor pat him on the arm. Then CS and I gave each other that look: reluctant acceptance.
I have a confession to make. I lied to you good people. I am not packed to leave. I think I thought if I didn’t pre-pack we wouldn’t have to leave. So I am now taking a break after packing all of five minutes.
It isn’t that we may lose everything. Once you’ve been down this road as we were with Katrina, I know all that matters I can fit in my car. It isn’t that it will be a major inconvenience (and, oh will it). It isn’t that it will cost a lot of money and push my nerves to the edge.
It is solely my concern for New Orleans. And all of our lives thereafter. I wonder how we can come back and live where Cat 4′s and 5′s are apparently a real potential threat every damn season. I wonder how this can’t be an effect of global warming. I wonder where we’d move if we decide to forsake our beloved motherland.
Bottom line, I am pissed off. But even more than pissed, I am scared. But yet I have hope. I hope this is round one and that the final score of the big game is Gustav 0, NOLA 1.
My heart aches as I read this. It is unbelievable that this might happen to New Orleans again.
Hopefully you will all pack your children, pets, lives into your cars, drive to safety, and return to a city that wasn’t touched. Just a little wind. As it was so many times before Katrina.
Good luck. We’re holding on to hope.
Loulou’s last blog post..Photo du Jour – Minervois Wine
*hugz*
Godspeed to you all. If you need a refuge–Ohio’s just 18-19 dismally long hours from New Orleans–but it’s dry and we’ll make room for you.
Like Loulou said–here’s to returning home to a city that was untouched.
Ed (zoesdad)’s last blog post..Gabba Gabba, We Accept You!
It makes me crazy that this could happen to NOLA again. You’re in my thoughts. And if you and yours need a place to stay, give me a holler.
I am so so so sorry. For you, for NOLA. I don’t pray, but I will hope hard that what seems to be inevitable at this point, does not happen.
Keep us posted as you can…and know that many of us are (and have been thinking) of you. …and we’ve got plenty of room in this big old farmhouse in NY…. keep driving!
I have to admit I’m so relieved to hear you will now go.
Travel safely away, and travel safely back.
Thinking of you all.
Xbox4NappyRash’s last blog post..A man’s work is never done
I’m glad you’re leaving. Good luck. I hope you come home to a near miss.
Sharon’s last blog post..3 years
=( =( =(. I’m so scared. We stayed up all night drinking wine and watching the news. I suddenly realized yesterday that I forgot my passport. Be careful driving! It took my sister 12 hours to get to Houston.
Jane Moneypenny’s last blog post..Surprising Anger & Gustav
I’m glad you’re out. I’m sorry it happened, believe me I am. And I’m praying for New Orleans now more than ever. I don’t care about my house or my possessions, it’s a lot bigger than that now.
Katie’s last blog post..Hurricane Laws
Nope, not global warming. It is lack of wetlands and barrier islands. It is why these are not the storms of our childhood days.
SoMo’s last blog post..Hurricane Chronicles: Day 2 You will know us by our Bunny bread.
I hope, that all will be good with you. Good luck.