Posted Sept. 3, 4:21pm, Hurricane Gustav

from www.nola.com

 ***All checkpoints have been lifted and residents may return home***

"No one will be turned back if you have an identification card that you live in this area," Nagin said in a radio interview "This is not the best time for them to return, but so be it."

Posted Sept. 3, 12:08am Hurricane Gustav

from www.wwl.com

"The City of New Orleans will lift the mandatory evacuation for all citizens at 12:01 a.m. Thursday though Mayor Ray Nagin said he doesn't necessarily recommend people return to a city that will have very limited services. He is also asking that anyone with medical conditions or special needs not return at this time.

Tier 1 people, such as responders and predetermined subcontractor workers, are allowed in Tuesday with proper identification. Tier 2 and Tier 3 people, which Nagin said includes most business owners, large and small, would happen Wednesday.

Orleans is under curfew from dusk until dawn until further notice. "

                                                

                                                      *****Re-entry procedures*****

The city if New Orleans in coordination with Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish plan to prioritize the re-entry of residents and businesses based on an assessment of needs following an evacuation. They have established three tiers which will be prioritized in a phased in re-entry.

Tier I– Response Support: Utilities, damage recovery services, etc

Tier 2- Recovery Support: Major businesses and those critical to support return of general population such as the Port of Orleans, hotel staff, apartment complex employees etc.

Tier 3– Repopulation Support: Business owners and employees deemed necessary to restore economic viability .

Posted Sept. 2, 12:00am Hurricane Gustav

• Residents will be allowed back into the city in a matter of days... through a phased re-entry process according to Mayor Ray Nagin

as reported by www.wwl.com

"New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said in the city's first post-Gustav news conference that they getting ready to implement their plans for bringing businesses and residents home from evacuation. But until that plan is underway, New Orleans remains under curfew, and no one is being allowed in or out without proper authorization.

 "Tomorrow, we're going to spend the entire day doing a full assessment, and start the repair process," said Nagin. "Tomorrow is not a day for you to come back to the city of New Orleans. We want the streets cleared so that we can clear debris, we can fix power lines, and we can do everything that we need to do before you start to come in.""

what that will look like:

                                                        *****Re-entry procedures*****

The city if New Orleans in coordination with Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish plan to prioritize the re-entry of residents and businesses based on an assessment of needs following an evacuation. They have established three tiers which will be prioritized in a phased in re-entry.

Tier I– Response Support: Utilities, damage recovery services, etc

Tier 2- Recovery Support: Major businesses and those critical to support return of general population such as the Port of Orleans, hotel staff, apartment complex employees etc.

Tier 3– Repopulation Support: Business owners and employees deemed necessary to restore economic viability .

Posted Sept. 1, 2008, 3:40pm Hurricane Gustav

****Residents are currently not allowed into the city. Mayor Nagin will host a press conference at 8:00pm CST at which time we anticipate that he will discuss the phased re-entry timeline. You may listen to the press conference online at www.wwl.com****

what we know now...

Re-entry procedures

The city if New Orleans in coordination with Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parish plan to prioritize the re-entry of residents and businesses based on an assessment of needs following an evacuation. They have established three tiers which will be prioritized in a phased in re-entry.

Tier I–   Response Support: Utilities, damage recovery services, etc

Tier 2-  Recovery Support: Major businesses and those critical to support   return of general population such as the Port of Orleans, hotel staff, apartment complex employees etc.

Tier 3– Repopulation Support: Business owners and employees deemed necessary to restore economic viability .

Posted Sept. 1, 2008, 1:17pm, Hurricane Gustav

Official information from the City of New Orleans

From www.wwl.com  

STORM UPDATES • Hurricane force winds are not expected to reach the city. Eye was at 85 miles SE from the city as of 7 a.m. • Orleans Parish remains under flood and tornado watches. • New Orleans EMS, New Orleans Fire Department and New Orleans Police Department have ceased responses to routine calls until further notice. 

LEVEES • The Orleans Levee Board reports that levees are in good shape and holding. Some overtopping is being experienced.

UTILITIES • According to Entergy, power outages are being experienced, primarily in the New Orleans East and Gentilly neighborhoods. Power is still on main lines and nodes are at or near 100%; the one in the east is at 86% currently.

WATER VESSELS • The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed two small vessels and a barge are loose in the Industrial Canal. The vessels broke away from an area near Southern Scrapyard. One of the vessels is bumping into the barriers of the sewerage and discharge system on the west side of the canal, which is the Gentilly side. The Sewerage and Water Board verified that the protective barriers are very strong. One of the vessels is a decommissioned Navy ship. • The barge is farther down the canal and is positioned perpendicular in the canal. Plans are underway to secure the vessels.

Posted August 31, 2008 7:35pm, Hurricane Gustav

CAEP Extended until 8pm Tonight! Good work OEP!

From wwl.com

"In the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Gustav continues to be forecast to slam into Southeast Louisiana on Monday.

The storm has sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, and may strengthen further before landfall.

Channel 4 Meteorologist Laura Buchtel says that although there is still a cone of error stretching from Beaumont to the Louisiana/Mississippi, it is appearing more certain that Southeast and South-central Louisiana will bear the brunt of this major hurricane.

"Gustav is forecast to maybe slow down a little bit," said Buchtel, "but at the current rate, it's due to be here midday tomorrow." "

If you will be staying in the neighborhood, please utilize the Broadmoor Emergency Preparedness Discussion Board to share on-the-ground information with residents who have evacuated... this is of course assuming that internet access is available. If internet access is not available.... wtite this down...please utilize the Braodmoodmoor evacuation line (1-877-598-3496) and BIA leadership will post information to the discussion board on your behalf. Finally, if only text messaging is available, please text (503)841-7660.

Posted Aug. 31, 2008 9:00am, Hurricane Gustav

Mandatory Evacuation Ordered

Update: The City Assisted Evacuation Plan will continue from 6 a.m. until noon on Sunday to provide transportation for citizens who cannot evacuate on their own.

If you will be staying in the neighborhood, please utilize the Broadmoor Emergency Preparedness Discussion Board to share on-the-ground information with residents who have evacuatated... this is of course assuming that internet access is available. If internet access is not available.... wtite this down...please utilize the Braodmoodmoor evacuation line (1-877-598-3496) and BIA leadership will post information to the discussion board on your behalf. Finally, if only text messaging is available, please text (503)841-7660.

Posted Aug. 30, 2008 7:00pm, Hurricane Gustav

• See post below for information regarding City Assisted Evacuation Plan
• A mandatory evacuationhas been ordered for 8am tomorrow morning
• Contraflow expected to begin tomorrow morning at 4:00am but the could begin earlier.
• Gustav is a Category 4 hurricane as it moves over Cuba and is expected to continue as such into the gulf.
• CAEP scheduled to end before a mandatory evacuation is called

Once the city orders a mandatory evacuation, those that don't evacuate will be asked to stay indoors. A curfew will be put in place once contraflow ends.

Posted Aug. 30, 2008 12:00am, Hurricane Gustav

Update:

• The City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) has been activated (Saturday 8am- 8pm)
• You do not need to be registered with the city and 311 in order to participate in the CAEP
• Please seek help from friends, family and neighbors before using the CAEP
• Help friends, family and fellow Broadmoorians evacuate if you have the capacity
• There will be no shelters of last resort in the city if the mayor calls for a mandatory evacuation
• Call 211 (1-(800) 594-8911 from a cell phone) for information regarding shelters open to the public in Louisiana

  The City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) has been activated. According to the CAEP timeline, the RTA portion of the evacuation will end BEFORE the mayor orders a mandatory evacuation. Decide now if you need it.

  Pet-friendly shelters are limited. Get there early if want to stand a chance of keeping your pet with you. Otherwise, pets will be safely transported to a separate pet shelter and returned to their owners upon re-entry into the city

  From the city:

  "City of New Orleans has announced that the City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) will be activated Saturday, August 30 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will continue on Sunday, August 31 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  
  Based on the projection that Hurricane Gustav will make landfall in or near New Orleans on Monday, September 1, 2008, the RTA has begun to initiate its emergency plan.
  
  RTA is working closely with the City of New Orleans to implement the City Assisted Evacuation Plan. The CAEP is a program designed to help people who have no means of evacuating on their own. Individuals are encouraged to call the City's 311 hotline, if you feel you may be eligible for the CAEP. Forty RTA buses will be utilized in the City CAEP. Individuals who need help in evacuating will gather at 17 sites throughout the City and RTA buses will transport individuals from the designated sites to the Union Passenger Terminal (UPT). Locations are listed below. From the UPT, buses provided by the State will take passengers to out-of-town safe shelters.
  
  
  In New Orleans, RTA will shuttle passengers to the UPT from these 17 locations around the city:
  
  
  Senior Center Locations:
  Arthur Monday Senior Citizens Center, 1111 Newton St., Algiers

  Kingsley House, 1600 Constance Street, Lower Garden District

  Central City Senior Center, 2020 Philip Street, Central City

  Mater Dolorosa, 1226 S. Carrollto Ave., Carrollton
  
  
  General Population:
  Sanchez Center, Caffin Ave. at Claiborne Ave., Lower 9th Ward

  Eleanor McMain Magnet Secondary School, 5712 S. Claiborne Ave, Broadmoor

  Warren Easton Fundamental High School, 3019 Canal St., Mid-City

  Palmer Park, S. Claiborne and S. Carrollton

  West Carrollton Lyons Community Center, 624 Louisiana Ave.

  Irish Channel Dryades YMCA, 1924 Philip Street

  Central City Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Rampart, 7th Ward

  Stallings Community Center, 4300 St. Claude, Bywater

  O. Perry Walker High School, 2832 Gen. Meyer Ave. Algiers

  Smith Library Bus Stop, 6300 Canal Blvd., Lakeview

  Gentilly Mall Parking Lot, Chef Menteur and Press Dr., Gentilly

  Walgreen's, Lake Forest and Read Blvd., New Orleans East

  Mary Queen of Vietnam, 14001 Dwyer, New Orleans East
  

  end quote

  There is a great tool contraflowmaps.com to help you plan your evacuation. Also check out the resources available through broadmoorprepares.com for help in planning for an evacuation

Posted Aug. 29, 2008 1:00pm, Hurricane Gustav

Update:

The city cannot activate its City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) until the mayor delares a state of emergency. Unofficially, though, the CAEP is set for activation at 8am tomorrow morning. This is unofficial and tentative.

At that time, folks needing assistance to evacuate will report to designated pick-up locations. The closest one to Broadmoorians is at McMain High School. Seniors and people with disabilities will be asked to go to the Central City Community Center. You can also report directly to the Union Passenger Terminal. From these locations, residents will be evacuated out of the city and out of harm's way.

You do not have to be registered to use the CAEP.

When using the CAEP you will be asked to bring only one bag per person (make sure it has important paperwork for you and your kids in it). Residents utilizing the CAEP will not have the control over their destination.

Nagin et al have directed folks to call 311 for more info re: the CAEP. Predictably the line for info is jammed and it is next to impossible to get through.

Please, if you want to evacuate but don't have the means, locate friends, family or neighbors that can help you. If you have the ability to bring others with you when you evacuate then please make every effort to do so.

There is a great tool contraflowmaps.com to help you plan your evacuation, since that seems to be what is called for at this hour. You can plan your rooute based on the best available information.

Check out the resources available through broadmoorprepares.com for help in planning for an evacuation

Posted Aug. 29, 2008 11:00am, Hurricane Gustav

From Mark Shleifstein at the Times Pic:

"This morning's first National Hurricane Center forecast still has Tropical Storm Gustav arriving at the Louisiana coast just south of Morgan City and Houma at 1 a.m. Tuesday as a major Category 3 hurricane with top winds of 115 mph.

Such a strong storm is likely to be accompanied by significant storm surge to the east of its central area, and its surge could be higher than that caused by a 115 mph storm, as Gustav is expected to have winds near 130 mph, Category 4 strength, 12 hours before landfall.

The 4 a.m. forecast would have Gustav move slowly west northwest over New Iberia after its initial landfall, taking a full day to reach Lake Charles, still as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of close to 100 mph. Such a slow passage would likely bring intense rainfall to most of south Louisiana."

There is a great tool contraflowmaps.com to help you plan your evacuation, since that seems to be what is called for at this hour.

There are a few bits of information that have not yet come accross my desk:

When the City Assisted Evacuation Plan will begin? What are possible surge levels for east of the eye if Gustav does ineed hit at about Houma? If you have an answer please drop me an email at arianast@yahoo.com. I would like very much to post that information.

311 lines are still jammed. If you absolutely must use the city assisted evacuatio pla, you will need to report to Mc Main High School when the call comes. Central City Community Center is pick up center for elderly and disabled residents.

Please take care. and don't forget all your important records (financial, medical, vital) when you head out.

Posted Aug. 28, 2008 12:55pm, Hurricane Gustav

Map courtesy of www.wunderground.com

Posted Aug. 27, 2008 2:16am, Hurricane Gustav

According to the National Weather Service, Louisiana is now in the five-day forecast cone of Hurricane Gustav. This means that there is a possibility that the hurricane will make landfall in the state as early as Tuesday. If and where the hurricane will make landfall in the state has NOT been determined.

The storm is currently passing over Haiti, loosing strength but expected to gain strength as it returns to the gulf waters.

According to Gov. Jindal as reported by the Times Picayune, "Assisted evacuations could begin as early as Friday and evacuations from hospitals and medical care facilities would begin Saturday. Evacuations by rail also could begin Saturday. Contra-flow, in which all lanes of major highways would direct traffic away from the storm impact area, could begin Saturday or very early Sunday "

Again, please begin to consider where you and your family may go in the case of a mandatory evacuation. Also, check in on friends and neighbors, particularly the elderly and disabled, to verify that they have made arrangements to evacuate if called for. Check out the resources available through broadmoorprepares.com for help in planning for a possible evacuation. If you or someone you know does not have transportation or means to evacuate, please call on your friends, family, and neighbors. As a LAST RESORT, the City Assisted Evacuation Plan is available for those without other options. Call 311 for more information about the CAEP and to register for evacuation assistance. PLEASE NOTE: the City Assisted Evacuation Plan begins to wrap up a full 30 hours before landfall. This means if you have not made plans to evacuate you will likely be unable to take advantage of the CAEP the day before a hurricane makes landfall.

Map courtesy of www.wunderground.com

From the  National Weather Service

...GUSTAV HESITATES...PRODUCING TORRENTIAL RAINFALL OVER MUCH OF
HAITI...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR HAITI FROM THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC-HAITI BORDER WESTWARD TO LE MOLE ST NICHOLAS.

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR CUBA FOR THE PROVINCES OF
GUANTANAMO...SANTIAGO DE CUBA...AND GRANMA.

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR HAITI FROM LE MOLE ST
NICHOLAS TO THE NORTHERN HAITI/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BORDER.

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCES OF LAS
TUNAS AND HOLGUIN. A HURRICANE WATCH IS ALSO IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA
AND ALL OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS.

INTERESTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN CUBA SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE
PROGRESS OF GUSTAV.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 200 AM EDT...0600Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM GUSTAV WAS
LOCATED BY AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE PLANE NEAR LATITUDE 18.6
NORTH...LONGITUDE 73.5 WEST OR ABOUT 80 MILES...125 KM...WEST OF
PORT AU PRINCE HAITI AND ABOUT 135 MILES...215 KM...SOUTHEAST OF
GUANTANAMO CUBA.

GUSTAV HAS SLOWED DOWN AND IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 5 MPH...7 KM/HR. A WEST-NORTHWEST TO WEST TRACK IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO WITH A GRADUAL INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...GUSTAV SHOULD PASS BETWEEN JAMAICA AND THE
SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF CUBA LATER TODAY AND ON AND THURSDAY.

GUSTAV HAS WEAKENED WHILE INTERACTING WITH THE TERRAIN OF HAITI AND
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 60 MPH...95 KM/HR...
WITH HIGHER GUSTS. HOWEVER...GUSTAV COULD REGAIN HURRICANE STRENGTH
LATER TODAY OR TOMORROW ONCE IT CLEARS THE SOUTHWESTERN PENINSULA
OF HAITI. MORE SIGNIFICANT STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST ON THURSDAY
WHEN IT PASSES BETWEEN CUBA AND JAMAICA.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 70 MILES...110 KM
FROM THE CENTER.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE AS REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE
RECONNAISSANCE PLANE IS 998 MB...29.47 INCHES.

GUSTAV IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO
12 INCHES OVER HISPANIOLA...EASTERN CUBA...JAMAICA...AND THE CAYMAN
ISLANDS...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF UP TO 25 INCHES
POSSIBLE. THESE RAINS WILL LIKELY PRODUCE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH
FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 2 TO 4 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS
ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES CAN BE EXPECTED IN
AREAS OF ONSHORE WINDS IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA.

REPEATING THE 200 AM EDT POSITION...18.6 N...73.5 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 5 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60
MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...998 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT
500 AM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER BLAKE/AVILA

Posted Aug. 26, 2008 2:12pm, Hurricane Gustav

Thus far, the National Weather Service is predicting a 5% chance that the southeastern United States will experience tropical force winds by Sunday. Louisiana is NOT currently in the five-day forcast cone. However, this may change in the next few days after the hurricane passes over Haiti and Cuba, The storm presently has maximum sustained winds of 90mph. It is expected to gain in strength after it passes over land and retuns to the warm water of the gulf.

Please begin to consider where you and your family may go in the case of a mandatory evacuation. Also, consider checking in on friends and neighbors, particularly the elderly and disabled, to verify that they have made arrangements to evacuate if called for. Check out the resources available through broadmoorprepares.com for help in planning for a possible evacuation.

Map courtesy of wunderground.com