Katrina Update #12

August 30, 2005; 11:12 PM

I have my web site back up and running. Right now, all it has is an archive of these updates, but I hope to add pictures I have found with my descriptions, as well as maps with landmarks, contact information, and links by the end of this week. Once all that is done, updates will be via the web site, and you will just be informed when there is a new entry.

The plan to fill the breech of the 17th St. Levee failed tonight. The pumps are failing, overheating or being overcome with water. (Only 3 out of 10 or 12 are working, anyway). The governor has ordered everyone to leave as soon as possible as 15 feet of water is expected throughout the east bank (between the river and the lake) by tomorrow AM. The governor has ordered everyone to leave, but how? It is thought there are thousands of people still in St. Bernard Parish awaiting rescue on their rooftops. No food or water for almost two days now.

It is 100% certain that both Coop's and Adam's houses are completely engulfed in water. Pictures of areas around our house would indicate we are still dry, which also means water may not make it into the house even when it floods.

The Jefferson Parish president said residents would be allowed into the area with proper ID next week, but only to get belongings, and then they must not return for at least a month. That seems optimistic to me. I doubt they can get the water out by then. If Orleans Parish does the same thing, we will go in and see what we can salvage.

The looting is rampant - and things are turning violent. Two people have died in the Superdome. One is rumored to have just jumped from a balcony on purpose, yelling goodbye to everyone just before he jumped. Two people opened fire on the police station with AK-47's hurting at least one policeman.

But there is good news to be reported as well...

We heard from Barry Franklin, a good friend and Bartender at Coop's. He is still in New Orleans. His landlord, who also stayed, went down to the quarter and visited Coop's Place today. Tom Taylor was serving drinks. Molly's was also open.
Sean and Juli Green are in Beaux Bridge apparently, west of New Orleans - closer to Lafayette, if I remember correctly. They heard from Cheryl, who reported that Bubba and Laura are OK as well.
Fay called from Stanton, TN where they are doing OK.
Jason and Amber are still unaccounted for. The fact that they have not made it to Coop's yet leaves two options: either they went to the Superdome or... (let's just not think about that option).

Speaking of the Superdome, WWL-TV is reporting that it now has 60,000 people in it. (It holds 77,000 for football games, probably another 5,000 or so on the playing field.)

Our plans are firming up. We are going to rendezvous Saturday in southern Illinois. Adam and Megan will fly up to join us after her Dad returns to the US from Egypt, where he has been for the last few weeks. From there we will continue our work for MacSpeech until such a time that we can get back into the city.

I should have a contact page on the web site soon. The site's URL is www.macchuck.com.

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