Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 44 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
photo by Marcus Frazier
Three month-old Georgiana Girod sleeps on her aunt Danielle Girod’s thigh as they waited in the Steckler Multipurpose Building’s parking lot for word of a shelter to began excepting evacuees Sunday afternoon.
Storm predicted to hit Miss-Lou after 4 p.m.
Published Monday, September 1, 2008
NATCHEZ — The Miss-Lou will begin to feel the full force of Hurricane Gustav late this afternoon.
The National Weather Service in Jackson has predicted the area will experience sustained winds up to 45 miles per hour with gusts reaching 75 miles per hour.
NWS predicted that Adams County and Concordia Parish will receive the brunt of the storm with the highest winds and the most rainfall — somewhere between four and 10 inches — between 4 and 8 p.m.
The hurricane was last predicted Sunday afternoon to hit Louisiana as a Category 3 storm.
In response to the dangerous weather the area will face, city and county officials have issued a mandatory evacuation for all mobile homes and unstable residences, effective at noon.
Also, Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown has issued a curfew effective for 6 p.m. today.
The county courthouse and all county offices are closed for the day.
The first shelter in Adams County opened at 6 p.m. Sunday and others were expected to fill rapidly.
Concordia Parish Emergency Director Morris White said none of the shelters in the parish were going to open.
“We’re passing them through to further shelters,” he said.
On Sunday, he said he was working to sandbag some areas in case of flooding.
Ferriday Mayor Glen McGlothin said crews were also sandbagging. Ditches were being cleared of stray limbs, as well.
He said there is a great chance the parish will experience flash floods.
“Concordia Parish is awfully low lying,” he said.
McGlothin urged residents to be safe as the hurricane moves closer.
“If it gets that bad, please stay off the roads, stay home, you’re safer at the house, especially with real bad rain, wind, flying debris,” he said. “Just hunker down and we’ll try to ride this thing out.”
White said he’s expecting high winds and maybe a few tornados, but that’s it.
“We’re not looking for winds over 55 mph, and that’ll just be gusty,” he said.
He said he didn’t think Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell would issue a curfew.
“We see no reason for the sheriff to issue a curfew, we’ve had 55 miles per hour wind here before,” he said.
Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said all city employees are on standby and he’s meeting with his department heads at 8 a.m. to go over plans.
“We feel that we’re pretty well prepared,” he said.
Copeland said he expects some power outages from fallen limbs, but the utility department is going to be working 24 to 48 hours.
Comments
Posted by dangyankee (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"word of a shelter to began excepting evacuees"
Hmmm . . . I would think they would be waiting for word of a shelter to begin accepting evacuees, rather than ruling them out.
But what do I know?
I just hope everyone (including myself) is prepared for whatever comes to pass tomorrow. My gut hunch is that, since I actually do have plenty of drinking water, ice, food, flashlights, etc., on hand, this storm will bring us nothing but a lot of rain. If, on the other hand, I had NOT prepared, Gustav would have belted us as a category 5. That's just the way my luck goes . . .
Y'all take care.
Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will not leave my domain. If God wants me, he knows where I am. I will not put myself, in with someone else's coffen...so to speak.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you think the wooden houses in Montebello are stable enough?
I mean, the one I am worried about is wood , it , like most houses in the neighborhood are held to the ground by 6 beick things, ya know, I mean they are not on a concrete slab.
Should I be worried?
Posted by 000117 (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 1:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just wondering ntzmom have you lived in Natchez long? Have you been in a Hurricane before in this area?
I have seen some of the worst houses in this area go through hurricanes with no problem. Maybe so roof damage.
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 1:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The levee maps of New Orleans with the heights of the levees marked can be found at:
www.mvn.usace.army.mil/PAO/response/amap...
Doen't look good for the West Bank............
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 1:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been here a while, I went through Katrina with no problems...but this one is supposed to be so much worse isnt it?
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Women and babies in the picture......where are the men? Don't they need shelter also?
Posted by oldshool (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 4:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess I will get real drunk like I always do and watch the storm pass us over,I hope it don't hit us.People don't go and buy all the beer from these stores until I get a couple of cases.I hope that storm don't hit us cause we are gonna be messed up and at least I will be drunk if it do come.
Posted by dixiebelle (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 4:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with dangyankee-- are we not proof reading anymore? Come on it's not that hard....
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 4:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is amazing to me with all that is going on the only thing that you are worried about it the way something was worded......
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 5:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why can't they open the convention center and the city auditorium with cots for evacuees? At the very best it will keep them from the wind and rain and not in a possible projectile like a car!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sayitloud, my only guess is because of what happened or what reportedly happened during Katrina. I guess places that are actual shelters or places that can convert easily to shelters is what they wanted to stick to. If you notice also, not nearly as many churches being benevolent this time around looking for evacuees, at least it is not a reported as before.
Posted by presby (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No not that. It will mess up the floors. The city planner hasn,t approved of any convention center opening,they will have to have meetings for a year to decide such.
Posted by dynagirl (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It'll be worse for Baton Rouge and Lafayette, much better for the state of Mississippi. After landfall, the storm will move even further west.
The media hype on this storm has been amazing. I think LSU will regret its' announcement to close tomorrow. (I hope so, anyway!)
"Excepting" evacuees from other places is a charitable act--that's why the churches. The Steckler building is supposed to be for locals--hope they keep it that way.
Posted by ponylover22 (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Although this storm is not as bad as Katrina, what you are not realizing that it is coming straight over us!! Katrina went up the MS gulf coast so we did not feel anything from it. The counties to our east did...McComb and over had power outage and damage and the further east it was worse. Don't take this storm lightly. There will be widespread poweroutages and damage from the wind and a lot more rain. I think Concordia Parish's mayor is not taking it seriously enough. The school closings for Tuesday and Wednesday is a smart thing and possibly could be longer depending on how bad it does get.
So for us, yes, this will be worse for us than Katrina was (not worse for others such as in eastern Mississippi).
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NTZMOM,
The house in Montebello will be fine. The weight of the house actual holds the house down on the blocks. The blocks may have an anchor bolt in them, but depending on the age, it may just be the weight of the house holding it down.
Teach,
I have noticed that less churches are opening this time. Maybe, it is because of the way the people acted last time. People came into the house of THE LORD and acted like they were on Bourbon Street or down in the projects fighting.
As far as this storm being worse, it is not as large as Katrina and is not as strong, but it is heading towrds swamp land that can flood easier, so the low lying areas can be destroyed very easily by water. Katrina had the largest storm surge ever recorded in the continental US.
It will be worse for Morgan City and Lafayette than Katrina was. It is headed straight for them.
Prayers for the good people of Morgan City and Lafayette today.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TRUE DAT RED!
Posted by oldguy (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I, for one, am wondering what in the devil prompted the "powers that be" to set a 6:00 PM curfew for all of Natchez before the exact landfall and resulting path were anywhere near certain?? You have got to be kidding me, it is still daylight at that time. What if an individual gets notified that there is a problem at some place they have association with and help is needed ASAP, do they get a ticket for being responsible, and answering the call for help? What if the brunt of the storm has passed by 10:00 or 11:00 PM and business owners want to get out an check on their property? Guess they go, get a ticket, then deal with it through the courts after the fact. Sure hope the local judges have a more trusting sensible outlook of the taxpaying citizens of Natchez and Adams county. Definitely seems like an over reaction to me. Likely rooted in some of the problems of wandering evacuees that many of us heard about during the Katrina catastrophe. If that is the case, then curfew the shelters, not taxpaying citizens of Natchez. Even the officials across the river in Louisiana, which will possibly suffer more storm impact than Natchez, have announced they WILL NOT impose a curfew at this time. Typical-typical-typical. Can not or will not control the few so punish the many.
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about a curfew, but if your drivers license says Natchez, then they leave you alone to take care of your business.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
glad to see a curfew
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if the houses of Montebello implode or explode either way, the owners will receive a great benefit from Gustav, as these houses need major renovation anyway, but of course I hope no one will get hurt, and I doubt any great pressure differential will occur of that magnitude anyway, those houses have been there thru many a hurricane, but the real problem is the TERMITES in that neighborhood are really bad, so that has caused significant structural deterioration over the decades
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the whole thing is way over hyped by all the media. The storm is not going to pass directly over us. At most we will get the eastern edge, which can be bad it's true, but not like the center of the storm. People, stay calm, be prepared, trust in God, it is just another storm. I think more people could die from heart attacks brought about by fear than the strorm itself.
Posted by oldguy (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is a good idea ProNatchez. Honestly, it may very well be the way it would actually work but they did not want to go into details in the paper. However, with the way it is worded Walmart might as well close their doors at 6:00 PM.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Freedom,
no one knew until last night just what was most likely to happen, and this storm could still change course
so it was better to err on the safe side than to be sorry
I'm glad it's kicking West, my worst fear is a tornado, so unpredictable
I was glad to hear Mayor Nagan of New Orleans to tell people they're OWN THEIR OWN if they are so stupid to stay put,
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
when Gustav crossed Cuba, it really looked like it could have gained strength and become a Cat 5, heading dead for New Orleans
glad it wasn't so bad, hope it keeps kicking West and I pray no one gets hurt
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with that Krogers, I'm just saying that the media seems to like to get everyone hyped up and ensue panic. People should realize on their own to get prepared. But, there are a lot of stupid people waiting for someone else to take care of them these days.
Posted by JessiMac (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG...you people are in NATCHEZ...you will be FINE...you all only wish you could see some real hurricane action.
Posted by allencary (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i hope the bush guy somewhere safe
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gustav=God's way of disrupting RNC and saying NO to Crown Prince Son of Cain and Ice Princess Cin.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The conventin is not open because the Coast Guard is using it for a base station, they also rented 60 rooms and The country Inn across the Street.
I dont live in Montebello, but I own 2 rent houses in that neighborhood.
One is rented to a family member, so I am a bit worried about that house.
Posted by Exdeladdon (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, so far your town is looking really good from here in PA. The storm (2:18pm your time there) hit you as a category 2. You should be able to ride that one out. Now lets just hope you don't get any tornadoes!
I hope that 6pm curfew doesn't cause my sister any grief -- or would that mean that Wal-green's will close at 5pm there? Oh - and to those of you who use the bathrooms at the Wal-green's - please remember -- if you tinkle when you sprinkle please be neat and wipe the seat this time! I understand that with hurricane Katrina the bathroom had toilet paper on the floor, poop on the walls, and pee everywhere. TOTALLY gross! Be considerate! The pharmacists are working hard and really just want to make a quick trip to the lavatory -- not clean up after all of you before they use it! They're working 12 - 14 hour shifts! Cleaning up after you people is NOT their job!
Help stop the spread of disease - and clean up after yourself! Thank you!
Posted by Chase (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are so many interesting comments in this forum. It's good to know the ND has offered this medium to exchange ideas.
I don't know if you guys remember how Blackwater moved into New Orleans after Katrina and there were a number of killings that went unreported; but, this idea of "mandatory curfews" reminds me of Martial Law.
It seems when a "state of emergency" is declared, many readiness plans are implemented to ensure the citizens are protected from whatever disaster they face. However, since the bush administration, many states seem to implement plans that near those of Martial Law, especially southern states!
Martial Law is usually imposed in the absence of any other civil government. That means, Halliburton and its contractors (Blackwater) becomes the Government, to impose the law however they please. Hence, the unreported killings in New Orleans.
Your states (Miss-Lou) are being used, mainly because of these unfortunate hurricanes, as test states for the rest of the country to monitor how its citizens respond to being told there is a "mandatory curfew".
During emergencies, many citizens are more apt to help their neighbors than loot or steal from them. There were countless stories of so-called "thugs" helping elderly citizens and neighbors, that simply went untold. But, FOX news and CNN seemed to focus on the few bad apples.
Listen, Black, White, Asian, Latina, it doesn't matter, I beleive when there is a person in need, we look out for each during times like these. Natchez officials, take that curfew and apply it to your own kids. We are not yours or the bush administration's guinea pigs. There is no place in this country for the kind of thugs who call themselves Halliburton or Blackwater, who roam the streets in Baghdad killing innocent people because they refuse to adhere to your "mandatory curfew."
We are a free country! Our rights, we refuse to relinguish! We will help our neighbors who are in need! We love our land, our freedom and our fellow Americans.
Halliburton, bush, Blackwater, cheney, McCain, Palin, go away! Go away! Go away!
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just heard on t.v. our weather control center advises that we may experience up to 90 mph wind gust beginning at 4pm. Everyone please keep yourself safely inside your homes. God's blessings on all of you to keep you safe.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was stupid enough just now to run outside for a minute and MAN was it gusting! Felt like 90!!
Posted by keepitreal (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chase, you are one of the few aware of the political chaos created by the present administration that, incomprehensibly, seems to have a huge fanclub in this town. So pitiful !
Posted by ntzfred (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is the power out down there?
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
not yet ntzfred.
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Still have power here at Tara at 7PM, though it has flickered a few times.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah flickering here too Pro!
scary
Posted by lookingout (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lights been out in kinston area for hours now....They say just a few days to a week though.....We watched a tornado go by i have never saw such a thing in my life...Don't let me fool you i saw it winds got awful rain was falling from all direction i ran to get inside the house lol...
I have a friend in baton rouge they got it awful...
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jackson, MS is fine, just the typical gusts nad rain bursts, nothing steady though, thank God! Power still on.
Posted by harjedalen (anonymous) on September 2, 2008 at 2:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chase, I remember Blackwater in New Orleans. These heavily armed corporate thugs have no business running roughshod over the streets of America like they are back in Fallujah (where they don't belong anyway). Citizens need to watch every move of this sly administration.
God Bless!
Posted by obamayamama (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sayitloud, I dont blast everybody, just you because you are just too easy. Looks like your shack may be out of power! HA!~ Hope it stays that way so I never have to read your moronic one liners again.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HA! WHO obamaloudmouth was off this thing for days? ME? I think not so WHO was without power again?
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)