It would be so nice to write about something besides hurricanes.
This is from a cousin in Baton Rouge a few hours before Hurricane Rita hit. It gives you a feel for what people are living through.
Dear cousins:
Thank you for all of your nice notes and offers to relocate.
I'm writing to give you a quick update on our Lake Charles relations, etc.
and their whereabouts. Here is the rundown:
-D + F are staying with DE in Baton Rouge
-B + R are staying with DE in Baton Rouge
-G and L are staying at L's sister-in-law's house (I don't know her name) here in Baton Rouge
-M + Family are in Gretna, LA with Cousin F (from Dad's side of
family)
-C + Family are with M (90 percent sure of this)
-J + Family stayed in Houston last night, but were supposed to leave for San Antonio at 6:00 a.m.
-L + Family stayed in Houston (but maybe will go with J?)
-A K. + Family are staying at DE's
-J, D + Family are staying with D's brother E in Baton Rouge
-S + S and Family are staying with S's brother D in Baton Rouge
-J + Family are at my house
-All of the D I family who were in Lake Charles are now at J I's house in Baton Rouge
-Mr. and Mrs. B (A's parents) are here in Baton Rouge staying at their son's house
-I don't know about J C or the Bs [who live outside Beaumont, TX] or Aunt J - hope all are out of harm's way and well
-Dad's sister and family who were evacuees from New Orleans decided to go to
Jackson, Miss.
Last night we barbequed at D and C's house. The DKs, JKs, J Is, B, R, D and F were all there. It felt like [a summer vacation]. I'm at work today, but I have the feeling D and C's house will be the command central for the rest of the weekend. The latest report I have heard is that Rita is supposed to hit sometime late tonight around Port Arthur, TX.
Here are some numbers if you are trying to get in touch with any of these evacuees:
[list of 15 phone numbers]
Communication has been sketchy lately and our cell phones AND land-lines work sporadically. Hurricane Katrina really messed up all communications down here in a big way. If calling doesn't work, the best way to definitely get a message across to someone is via text messaging on their cell phone. I'm working on restoring my home email: [ ] and O's home email is [ ] (D, C and I are all at our respective work this morning).
Baton Rouge should do well in this Hurricane. There is no real danger of flooding because of the elevation and location of the city. The only real danger is from wind damage and/or tornados that tend to spin off Hurricane's
on the eastern side. Right now, we're expecting 60 mph winds which qualifies as "Tropical Storm" winds.
Meanwhile, we Baton Rougians are enjoying visiting with our Lake Charles relations. Tonight we'll most probably be at D's again. I'm planning on marga-RITA's and Hurricanes for the occasion. I've already figured out how to hook my blender up to my car battery in case we lose power.
Keep praying for Lake Charles; people here are upbeat but pretty nervous about its survival. Love, M
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