Katrina Updates

Hello from Montgomery, AL.

We've secured our hotel room here through Thursday. Most of the folks here are relatively local (MS and AL), so they are likely to be able to go home soon. With both our governor and FEMA saying to stay away from the city, we're planning on not getting back to the city until next week. Come Thursday, we'll be in Atlanta attending Dragon*Con. We've seriously talked about what happens long-term if we do not return to New Orleans.

Others are not as lucky as we have been. Others evacuated later, others couldn't. Tomorrow, Cat and I are going to the local blood center and donate blood. I encourage anyone who can to do so. I'd like to make a joke about the fact that the mall here has an ice rink, but my wit is worn a little thin.

All things considered, New Orleans dodged a bullet. We still got hit, but it really could be much, much worse- the "toxic corpse gumbo bathtub" doomsday stories are no exaggeration. Folks in Mississippi got it too- and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but the simple fact is that other cities don't have the same kind of doomsday scenario. We're seeing the same things yall are on CNN- it's bad in the East and Gentilly, and the lower 9th is literally water to the rooftops. Uptown is mostly downed oaks and power lines, Metairie and its environs were relatively spared.

I'm going to respond to individual emails after this mass email. Good luck to those on the road, and much thanks to those keeping us in their thoughts.

MDK

Good, regularly updated info can be found at:
http://www.nola.com

Times-Picayune's forums for parish-by-parish info:

Orleans:
http://www.nola.com/forums/townhall

Jefferson:
http://www.nola.com/forums/jefftownhall

Kenner:
http://www.nola.com/forums/kennertownhall

Mandeville:
http://www.nola.com/forums/mandeville


River Parishes:
http://www.nola.com/forums/rivertownhall


St. Bernard & Plaquemines
http://www.nola.com/forums/stbtownhall

St. Tammany:
http://www.nola.com/forums/sttamtownhall

Marigny / Bywater
http://www.nola.com/forums/marigny

Vieux Carre:
http://www.nola.com/forums/vieuxcarre