Back into Metarie

We had to get some items from Cousin Marc's house and had to return to Metairie on Monday. Most people I have spoken with had no idea they would be gone so long even if this evac proved to be real. If they had known they wouldn't be back, they would have brought a few additional financial records and cloths. You can buy cloths but you need your paper/electronic records. Since Monday was the first day back we figured Airline Hwy would be jam packed and decided on an alternate route. We took Hwy 3127 to I-310 and crossed the Miss. River in Luling. We made it to River Road and were in Metairie in about 1 1/2 hours. There was more traffic in Metairie but not nearly as much as I would have suspected given that people had lined up the night before to get in line to get in. They are now making you exit I-10 in Sorrento unless you have proof you need to go somewhere between Sorrento and Kenner.

Once we got to the house, we began moving branches and tree parts into piles. We had enough time to get some additional ones out of the street and neighbors yards to make driving a little easier. There are many electric and tree trucks but there is so much work to do that citizens are cutting and stacking much of the tree debris. A roof vent had blown off the house so we managed to find it and have Marc climb up and put it back on to keep the rain out of the attic. We decided it was probably best to cut the main breaker off as well.

Since we had a little extra time, we did some running around. Mostly the same tree, power and building damage as reported from the Sunday trip. We did go by the Galleria and it has many of its windows broken. The building also sustained some major external damage to two of its walls. We took pictures that I will post later. We took I-10 west to get home.

I saw pictures of some flood waters still in Metairie. The Airline Hwy./Causeway intersection is dry on the Kenner side but still flooded on the New Orleans side. Audubon Zoo had no flooding and only lost 2 otters and 1 raccoon. I spoke with someone who drove into New Orleans on Sunday. They were able to get in and look at some areas around Napoleon and Magazine. Little flooding but wind damage of roofs and awnings. I have some friends going back in today and will keep everyone posted. There are some neighborhoods in Metairie that are starting to get power. I still believe Metairie/Kenner will get cleaned up and be able to support people in a month.

The mood of the citizens is turning against our governor. Apparently Bush called her Friday before the storm and asked her to ask for Federal assistance. This is key because without a State's permission the Feds can not be the police. She turned it down citing that it would make New Orleans look like it was under Marshal Law (which it needs to be). On Wednesday after the hurricane she met with Bush privately and was offered what she called a "complicated" plan. She asked for 24 hours to review and turned it down as well. I don't have the details of the plan, it may not have been right for Louisiana but taking 24 hours to make a decision when time is critical is inexcusable.