Gustav Update #6

It does indeed look like New Orleans actually did dodge a bullet this time. Storm damage is extensive, but not as devastating (at least for New Orleans) as it was with Katrina. Entergy estimates a minimum of 850,000 customers are without power. More important, however, is that New Orleans and Baton Rouge have been cut off from the national grid. They are essentially an island when it comes to electricity. The only power being provided in the region is that which is being produced locally at the various plants.

All of the roads leading into New Orleans are being heavily guarded to prevent anyone from getting into the city. The earliest anyone can possibly get in would be Thursday. Even then, there might not be electricity for several days.

The evacuation for Gustav represented the largest in US history. It is estimated 2 million people, including 1.1 million from the New Orleans metropolitan area (which includes communities on the north shore of lake Ponchartrain) evacuated. Not counting "first responders" (local police, firefighters, and National Guard) it is estimated there are less than 10,000 people in the city of New Orleans.

I heard from our friend Keith Davis in Hammond. Their house survived with no major damage.

Today's menu includes the rest of the meat "rescued" from The Joint, as well as Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. We'd rather be home, but we don't need to be miserable.