Wednesday, September 3, 2008
List of open gas stations in Louisiana
Posted by Kevin Allman on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Open Gas Stations: provided by the state's emergency Web site.
Looks to be updated frequently.
Live from I-59
Posted by Kevin Allman on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Just emailed from the Blog of New Orleans' sports guy Alejandro de los Rios:
I just left Hattiesburg on I59, little traffic at the moment but I'd say close to 95% of the cars have Louisiana tags. I'll keep you posted.
Update, 6:20 pm:
23 miles from I-10, and I just hit my first bit of traffic.
Scenes from the evacuation on I-59
Posted by Kevin Allman on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Those claims about how well contraflow worked this time around? Not so much.
Head over to Katrina: An Unnatural Disaster for Loki's report on the Interstate 59 contraflow disaster in Mississippi, complete with photos of police blocking offramps to keep evacuees from getting off the interstate:
Image courtesy/copyright Loki/Humid City
As my cats came closer and closer to fatal heatstroke, we poured water over their heads to cool them off. Two almost died. People around us were obviously suffering in the temperature, including many elderly and infants. The various cars stalled out on the side of the road stood like scarecrows striking the fear of being left behind into our hearts. The worst place to be in a hurricane, bar none, is in a car stuck in traffic. Visions of being blown into the air in your vehicle by the “Mother of All Storms” contributed to the palpable feelings of despair.In Mississippi, police blocked the off ramps, several cars at each. it seems we were not wanted or allowed to leave the parking lot that was Contraflow. Fear of the situation warred with rage at those whose panic was substituted for leadership. All the while, the radio spewed forth reports of how well Contraflow was working, alternating with self-congratulatory proclamations by the mayor.
My wife became so ill with the heat that an ambulance, sheer impossibility in this situation, was seriously contemplated. The lady who was driving and my wife both had to use the side of the road to relieve themselves, as did anyone else on the road.
The last few miles of this hell ride were the slowest and ugliest. The fact that I did not see any violence around us is something that makes me take pride in my fellow man; the shimmering heat haze was a type well know in the subtropics, the type that incites tempers.
More at the link.
Read or download James O'Byrne's editorial, "Next time, we won't leave"
Posted by Kevin Allman on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 4:35 PM
As noted this morning, somehow James O'Byrne's Times-Picayune editorial, "Next time, we won't leave," has somehow vanished from Nola.com's Hurricane Gustav coverage.
It's not our property, so we can't repost it, but you can read it or download your own copy here.
Coming back through the Northshore? Gas & groceries on I-190
Posted by Kevin Allman on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Traffic on I-190 headed southbound is very heavy. Right now, what's open on I-190 in Covington:
- Rouses
- Walmart
- A couple of gas stations (with long lines)
A Few Words of Caution
Posted by David Winkler-Schmit on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 4:09 PM
This is nothing you haven’t experienced before, but there are a couple things to keep in mind.
- Right now, virtually all traffic lights are down, so just remember to use a little courtesy at the intersection.
- There is some gas (I saw a station open with a line of cars on South Claiborne Ave), but if you can, fill up early and often before arriving.
- Make your groceries elsewhere. And if you’re not sure if you have power, don’t buy anything perishable.
- A few bar/restaurants are open, and I’d expect many more by tomorrow. Luke was open yesterday; Buffas, Molly’s on the Market, the Maple Leaf and Oceana Grill stayed open throughout the storm (if I forgot someone, please forgive me). Port of Call is open today until 7 p.m.
- There is still a lot of debris in the roads; proceed with caution. Crews are cleaning it up as fast as they can.
- One of the most welcome sights I’ve seen today are all of the various crews – Asplundh, Entergy, Cox Cable, Bell South – traveling around the city, making repairs.
- When you drive by the police – be it Jefferson Parish, NOPD, state police, etc…--give them a wave and thumbs up. Those folks did an exemplary job of patrolling the city and keeping it safe during and after the storm. This morning, I saw a group of officers on Esplanade Ave and Broad. Apparently, someone tried to get in a robbery before everyone returned.
WELCOME HOME!
Jeff Parish folks: don't flush the biffy
Posted by Kevin Allman on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 3:45 PM
From the Jefferson Parish Web site:
As of this morning, Entergy has not restored power to most of Jefferson Parish's 505 sewerage lift stations which move wastewater from homes and businesses and to the wastewater treatment plants. Residents are cautioned not to flush toilets, wash clothes or dishes, take showers, or allow any water to go down the drains in their homes or businesses. If the system becomes overwhelmed, sewerage wastewater may back up and overflow into homes and businesses.
