Gustav Update #3

We took our vote, and the consensus is to leave. It was not unanimous. Given the latest projections, I am not in the least worried about water damage at our house, but there are three things that do bother me enough that I think evacuating is a good idea:

Tornados. Storm surge, wind velocity, and precipitation can all be predicted as the storm draws nearer, but Tornados are especially prevelant on the east side of a hurricane or tropical storm. Fay — which never reached hurricane strength — spawned over 100 tornados.

Damage to the car from flying debris. Even if there is not a tornado near us, flying debris could damage our just-acquired mini-van to the point it is not drivable. Since that vehicle is the only one my entire family depends on, I don't want to take that chance.

Lack of basic services after the storm. While we prepared for staying, the water and provisions won't last more than 4 days, and that is if we are very prudent. From what local officials have been saying, it could be over a week before electricity is restored, and longer than that before the grocery stores are open.

So we are leaving. We hope to be on the road between 2 and 3 PM. Currently, our plan is to take I-10 east out of the city, then I-59 north to Laurel, MS. At that point, we will decide whether to continue north to Meridian (where we have some friends that offered to put us up), or east on US 84 to Dothan, AL.

Rest assured, we aren't taking any chances with our safety. I'll post again as soon as I can.