I'm officially scared...

[Maddy McCall]

:scared:

Ivan. I'm a little over an hour north of New Orleans. N.O. residents are already evacuating--have seen lots of LA tags locally.

I went through the Walmart ritual tonight--stocking up on batteries and water, with the other storm zombies. Even bought some hamburger meat that is vacuum sealed that you don't have to refrigerate--How gross is that?

Tomorrow I am going to the vet to get some doggie-downers for my poor little schnauzer, who freaks out in bad weather--to the point of incontinence.

I'm scared--I was in a building hit by a tornado when I was 10, so bad weather freaks me out. Please, talk me down. Is this irrational fear???

:scared: :scared:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. No it's not an irrational fear

IS getting out of town out of the question? Are your folks on higher ground?

[Maddy McCall]

7. I live in a cabin in a forest.

The folks live in town in a brick home, and even have a generator rigged up.

But, you know, I can understand why some people stay home during hurricanes. I almost don't want to leave. I will bring the big dog in, and I probably couldn't do that at my folks.

Plus, my independence seems to melt away when I am with them. I become 12 in their eyes again. :-)

[DS1]

8. MIght be wise to not strap that generator down too much

if push comes to shove, it might need to be up on the roof to get air...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. Well where you are falling trees could be an issue though

is there a vet where you can board the big guy?

And I am not trying to scare you but trying to make sure you consider everything before the hurricane is upon you.

[Maddy McCall]

21. I appreciate it, NSMA

:loveya:

I know you are offering very sound advice. Yes, there is a vet only a couple of blocks from my folks' home. I will look into it tomorrow.

[alwynsw]

14. Hiya nsma!

I agree. It's definitely not irrational. I live in one of the areas worst hit by tornados in 1974. We keep batteries, water, etc. handy almost all the time. Forget tornado season. We had a whopper on Jan 1 a couple of years back.

Get your batteries, canned stuff, water, blankets, flashlights, etc. ready. Nothing will be lost if Ivan misses. You can use it for day to day needs.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Hey! Where's the puppy pics?

Oh and I drink out of my mug every morning and think of you and the wife each time I grab it out of the cupboard :loveya:

[alwynsw]

29. Ask my better half about the pics.

I don't do digital. The camera's smarter than I am.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

2. Action cures fear

you know that fight or flight response? Put it to good use. Do something. Organize things. Get stuff. Make a plan!

Good luck, your Texas neighbors will be thinking about you!!!

[Maddy McCall]

9. Thanks! Yes, I think that is why I bought all that stuff tonight...

just felt like I had to. I have to give a test tomorrow, but I already have it written up, so...

I'm just going to post on DU for a few more minutes. :-)

(BTW, I am a Texan, too. Was born in San Antonio. :-) )

[GAspnes]

3. it's not irrational fear

but it's not helpful either. As your dog demonstrates, peeing on the floor doesn't help things.

Be aware, be smart and be safe.

[TriMetFan]

4. My prayers are with you.

Good luck.

[Maddy McCall]

10. Thank you...I think we definitely need luck and prayers right now.

Especially the folks south of me. :(

[alittlelark]

5. Not irrational - but unfocused

determine what you need to do to stay safe....write it down if need be. There are many others in the same 'raft' as you are. Think. You will know whether to stick it out or flee if you focus, and think.

[Maddy McCall]

11. Well, I've done all I can do today. So I can do nothing but wait...

Many of my students actually live on the Gulf Coast. I am worried for them, too.

[2Design]

6. if it truly is going to head your way....take a vacation and head

north west....you will know more in a day or two

[Maddy McCall]

12. Yeah, I might do that...go over to Monroe, LA and visit some realtives...

have to wait and see.

[2Design]

16. I meant more like one or two states north west

IVAN has a large swirling radius.....you want to be out of the reach of the rains and floods....

[Maddy McCall]

19. If it looks like it's coming through N.O., my family and I will discuss...

what we can do, where we can go.

I have a large weimaraner, and I would never leave him behind.

[Syrinx]

15. hi jchild!

If I were you, I think I might consider going to your folks' home that you mentioned. Depending on what happens with the storm. I'm a good 250 miles inland, but I'm concerned about the effects that might come from the storm. These things are awfully good at spawning tornadoes.

[Maddy McCall]

18. I know! That's another thing that freaks me out...

I saw one of our town councilmen at Walmart tonight...he said that they are already making emergency plans for the town.

He and his wife were buying water and batteries...he said that hardly any line maintenance has been done in the town, and so many lines have limbs on them, that he just assumes we will be without power for awhile.

So, I was already nervous...after talking to him, I was downright scared. :-(

You be safe! I had a friend who lived in Andalusia when the storm came through in 95, was it? She was without power for three weeks--in ANDALUSIA! You guys probably should make some preparations, too. :hug:

[Syrinx]

22. Thanks!

Depending on the track of the storm, you might want to think about (if you don't want to go to your folks' place) going to Memphis or somewhere and getting a motel room. I think it's going more eastward though. Not wishing anything bad for Georgia, though. Be safe, whatever you do, can't afford to lose any liberals in the South. ;)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

20. Hey I am sending you my best as well...stay safe my friend

Hang in there!

[Syrinx]

24. Thanks. You're sweet!

I think we'll be okay here though. I think.

[No2W2004]

23. Hi

I lived an hour away from galveston when Alicia hit. The house was surrounded by big pine trees, and I still remember vivdly watching them bent almost in half at times. All I can say is that you need to be stocked up on supplies, water and batteries especially. Be prepaired for the power to be down for a few days...ours was down for about a week. Get everything that isn't planted into the ground inside a garage, or your house, because if the storm its, it will be flying around. The storm itself won't last long, but it will be intense while it's there.

Good Luck!

[Zomby Woof]

25. I will do what I can

You know... the old "lifts pants and does something in the general direction of Ivan" thing...

:hug: Zomby ain't gonna let a stupid hurricane get ya!

[Maddy McCall]

26. :-)

Does that something involve eating lots of beans? :-)

[Zomby Woof]

27. only with HAM HOCKS!!

Kerry-lovin' ham hocks! ;-)

[7th_Sephiroth]

28. FACT new orleans sits 30 feet below sea level

Fact if the levys break i will be scuba diving for your cash and stuff if you dont leave