Gustav news here (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette: college, living, cost of)

[Sam I Am]

Please be aware that we also have a weather forum where information may be posted or received:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/weather/

[MishelM]

I just moved to BR and I do mean I JUST moved. Originally from Canada- then lived in NC. I do not know what to do- I am hearing so many conflicting things. I know New Orleans will not fare well with a direct hit but what about BR. I live mid city- should I be concerned?

[darylwi]

Originally Posted by MishelM

I just moved to BR and I do mean I JUST moved. Originally from Canada- then lived in NC. I do not know what to do- I am hearing so many conflicting things. I know New Orleans will not fare well with a direct hit but what about BR. I live mid city- should I be concerned?

In BTR you will be fine for the most part. The biggest problems come from street flooding and electrical outages, and falling trees. Make sure your car isn't parked in a low spot or an area suseptible to flooding or under a big tree. My parking area at my apartment gets water, so I park on the side next to it where it never holds water. If it looks like the winds are going to be pretty bad, I've even gone so far as to park my car in a parking garage, when I lived in an open area where I was worried about flying objects hitting it. I'm in a pretty secure place now so I shouldn't have many worries. But downed trees typically are a major problem here during a big enough storm. That and your electricity going out at some point. Most places in the city get their power cut back on fairly quick.
Do be aware that once the contraflow starts and they're evacuating NOLA, traffic will be a nightmare here. I-10 and I-12 converge here and then everybody is getting off onto the surface streets trying to get through Baton Rouge. I'm taking care of all of my errands this afternoon and then I'm sitting out for most of the weekend, watch some good college football tomorrow. By Monday, when the storm is getting close, traffic will have died down and you can do any last minute stuff you might need.
All in all, we're usually fine here.
It can be a hassle, but if you plan ahead; have plenty of food, water, beer , some flashlights just in case, radio, and just sit back and 'enjoy' your first hurricane. We're in just the right position on the map that we can say that and typically get away with it.

[jguillot]

Originally Posted by darylwi

In BTR you will be fine for the most part. The biggest problems come from street flooding and electrical outages, and falling trees. Make sure your car isn't parked in a low spot or an area suseptible to flooding or under a big tree. My parking area at my apartment gets water, so I park on the side next to it where it never holds water. If it looks like the winds are going to be pretty bad, I've even gone so far as to park my car in a parking garage, when I lived in an open area where I was worried about flying objects hitting it. I'm in a pretty secure place now so I shouldn't have many worries. But downed trees typically are a major problem here during a big enough storm. That and your electricity going out at some point. Most places in the city get their power cut back on fairly quick.
Do be aware that once the contraflow starts and they're evacuating NOLA, traffic will be a nightmare here. I-10 and I-12 converge here and then everybody is getting off onto the surface streets trying to get through Baton Rouge. I'm taking care of all of my errands this afternoon and then I'm sitting out for most of the weekend, watch some good college football tomorrow. By Monday, when the storm is getting close, traffic will have died down and you can do any last minute stuff you might need.
All in all, we're usually fine here.
It can be a hassle, but if you plan ahead; have plenty of food, water, beer , some flashlights just in case, radio, and just sit back and 'enjoy' your first hurricane. We're in just the right position on the map that we can say that and typically get away with it.

I agree with darylwi. Since Baton Rouge is further inland, you will not have to be concerned with storm surge or the highest winds of the storm. If the storm grows into a major hurricane and moves inland toward Baton Rouge, you will have some high winds, but nothing like they will have along the gulf coast. You can also expect street flooding due to heavy rain and electrical outages. I would have flashlights and a battery powered radio ready. If you don't have a gas stove, I would also have food available that does not have to be cooked. Park your car where there is no chance of flooding.

[SwinerBock]

Apparently, all hotels in the El Dorado area (south central Arkansas) have been booked through the Labor Day weekend. According to one area hotel staffer, the closest hotels available in Arkansas for potential refugees are in Hot Springs and Little Rock (both 2 hour drives, northwest and north respectively, from El Dorado). Have no idea regarding hotel availability in the Texarkana area.

If I get more hotel information, or if it becomes necessary to start posting shelter information in the El Dorado area, I'll come back here and post it.

[MishelM]

Originally Posted by jguillot

I agree with darylwi. Since Baton Rouge is further inland, you will not have to be concerned with storm surge or the highest winds of the storm. If the storm grows into a major hurricane and moves inland toward Baton Rouge, you will have some high winds, but nothing like they will have along the gulf coast. You can also expect street flooding due to heavy rain and electrical outages. I would have flashlights and a battery powered radio ready. If you don't have a gas stove, I would also have food available that does not have to be cooked. Park your car where there is no chance of flooding.

How can I know what parts of the city are prone to flooding- I have only been here a couple of weeks- the parking lot of my condo seems to get a lot of water when it rains so I assume that I should move my car from there but its pretty flat here - so how can I be sure of a place that will not flood!!!! I have never ever lived in such a flat place in all my life! The only hills are the speed-bumps!

[Sam I Am]

This map was in another thread, showing the elevation of various areas of NO.

http://hurricane.lsu.edu/floodpredic...Elevation2.jpg

[darylwi]

Originally Posted by MishelM

How can I know what parts of the city are prone to flooding- I have only been here a couple of weeks- the parking lot of my condo seems to get a lot of water when it rains so I assume that I should move my car from there but its pretty flat here - so how can I be sure of a place that will not flood!!!! I have never ever lived in such a flat place in all my life! The only hills are the speed-bumps!

You said you were in Mid City. Besides some minor street flooding, I'm not aware of many areas of Mid City that receive major flooding in parking lots or in ditches that will overflow into parking lots or residences even. The Capitol Heights area should be fine generally. There are some areas of street flooding in the Garden District.
The best thing to do is maybe ask some of your neighbors about flooding if you park in a lot. If you have a private drive, you're probably ok because I imagine it will be raised from the street. Just stay off the street.
Worst case, just keep looking out on your parking lot during the rain event. If the water looks to be coming up a little, pull out the poncho and take a quick walk around to see what areas aren't holding water. Then move your car there if you would feel better, but be aware of any trees. I wouldn't park under any larger older trees, just in case, although I'd rather a tree ding or a broken windshield than a flooded vehicle.
And don't try driving around immediately after the rain either because you probably won't get far. Wait it out at least a few hours afterwards, most of the water will drain away from the main streets by then.

[SwinerBock]

From a reporter at the El Dorado News Times in El Dorado, AR:

"I’m told by the desk clerk at the Holiday Inn Express in Camden that the property does have rooms available this weekend and beginning on Wednesday.

The nearest available rooms for Monday through Wednesday are in Bryant, the clerk said.

If you know anyone who needs a room, try this hotel at (870) 836-8100.
The hotel clerk said that they have residents from Louisiana checking in today, and the rooms are going fast."

Camden is just up the the road (AR Hwy 7) from El Dorado, about 30 miles NNW.

[buildings_and_bridges]

In case this affects anyone and they have heard yet, I just found out that LSU canceled classes for Tuesday.