I just got off the telephone with a wonderful man from the Louisiana Department of Transportation. He was very informative and extremely helpful after I decided it would be a good idea to contact the LA DOT for road closure/evacuation route information.
We are leaving tomorrow morning around 10am. The roads are not expected to go into "evacuation" or "contraflow" routes until late afternoon or early evening - so we should be able to get into the city right before the roads become one-way on all "bounds" traffic.
He also updated me as to the condition of Gustav and it's possible hit location. They look at two different models - the one that has been most accurate in the past at the LA DOT, has calculated Gustav's eye making shore near Morgan City - just west of New Orleans. This is NOT good for New Orleans. This point of impact will mean the eastern side of the hurricane will be effecting New Orleans JUST LIKE KATRINA did 3 years ago. Please do not worry about my safety, as I will be securely locked down in a hospital starting tomorrow evening. However, for the thousands of New Orleans' citizens who cannot get out, please pray! They will need it ... especially if this model is correct.
I do ask that you pray for my quick and safe return from LA, however, as this trip that started out as a 1-3 day relief tour may become a 7+ day relief duty. Hopefully the relief team will be able to come in quickly after the storm - as we are the advance team.
If you want updates, please email me at stefine.fishburn@gmail.com and give me your cell number. I will text you updates as long as I have cell service starting Monday and continuing through the storm. But when they stop coming, DO NOT WORRY! It's just interrupted cell service due to the winds/rain. I will text you when I get service back.
Thank you again for your prayers and thoughts. It really does mean the world to me, my two brave coworkers, and the many many New Orleans who do not need to go through this again.
