What a gorgeous day! 72 degrees, dry and brilliant! We haven't seen that since last March! Here's hoping it stays this way for a little longer.
Got the electronic call from my school last night. It seems EVERY building on campus except one - mine (!)- received some degree of flooding. Good grief. We don't have a huge campus, but still....
The message also said that we would not be re-opening for "at least 2 weeks"! However, our school website says 1 to 2 weeks. So who knows? This is not good on so many levels. We are just a small school with just under 2,000 students. When Hurricane Rita came through a few years ago we lost around 15% of our student body who just didn't return. It had taken us this long just to try and rebuild to original numbers. We will be trying to salvage the rest of the semester so my guess is we will run deeper into December than planned - possibly right up to the 24th. But we roll with the punches, eh?
A friend who evacuated to Jackson, Miss and has returned safely says there were folks from Orange,TX at their hotel too. (How we scatter!) She reports that the local Lake Charles Albertsons had milk yesterday. But it was cordoned off and not for sale. The thought is that it may be spoilage that hasn't been removed yet. So no milk for sale there, but plenty of the important stuff was available - beer and wine! Happily, the store appeared to be in the process of re-stocking items so they must have gotten a truck through.
An ex-grad student of Frank's stopped by last night to check on us. He's with DEQ now and is working emergency operations during this storm episode. He said he was happy to see we had power, but not to count on it. We aren't out of the woods yet. With all the work on the grid they are doing, there could be interruptions. He reports that Baton Rouge is still suffering in a big way without power from Gustav. Bucket trucks from all over are traversing between the Baton Rouge and Houston area. He doesn't carry a gun and won't go into certain areas between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. He says locals will sometimes fire on anyone - even police - who come near. *Sheesh* Only in Louisiana.
Another friend who evacuated to Dallas tried to drive to Beaumont yesterday to check on his home. Couldn't get in. Too many roads flooded. Decided to turn back and make the long (~5 hours) drive back. He reports that many gas stations between the 2 cities are without power to pump gas and those that have power are running low on gas.
Ah, the ripple effect. Like I said in an earlier post, the actual storm is only the tip of the iceberg. It's the aftermath that seems to go on forever.
I am hearing from so many friends and family from distant places via emails! This is great. I never thought something like this would take off like it has. I highly recommend it. (Just a reminder that it is ok for any of you to post a comment here. Have at it if the spirit moves you.)
Ok, I'm off to do some school work and try and get ahead of the curve. Making lemonade down here.
Monday, September 15, 2008
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5 comments:
These day to day difficulties are the real challenges, for sure. I am continually reminded of how a friend of mine responded when asked how she handled so much in her life: the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time! Your friends and colleagues in Texas could use some encouragement, I'm sure. Tough times for all. Interesting updates, Cath.
Your blog works, Cathie, because you are a good writer who draws the reader in. You make the unimaginable, personal for those of us who aren't there with you to experience it.
I'm glad to hear that you've got people checking on you and that even if you lose power, you've got back up.
Enjoy the catching up - that's a rare treat!
How does it go...when life hands you lemons, make lemonade? I'm glad to read that was what you were doing and I'm so happy you are safe. It was difficult because we were excited for Jeff moving and then so concerned at the same time. I'm glad all is well though, and encourage escaping the next storm on a family vacation to CA!
Sorry...still trying to figure this out but The Rack is my blog for work...and this is Erin (Jeff's girlfriend) just in case. =)
'Preciate the kind words Kimberly and yes definitely, the imposed break does have it's benefits! ;-) The trick for me is to discipline myself and use it wisely. Don't you agree that blogging is a wise use of my time? *wink*
Thanks for letting me know it was you posting as "The Rack", Erin! I could tell it was someone "in" the family and was trying to guess who. (Enjoyed your blog too! What an interesting line of work and looks high energy too.) Believe me, I would rather have been helping with Jeff's move right then!
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