Rita, Rita, Rita

I've had little time to post the last few days. Seems like everyone in the state is actually trying to prepare for Rita and we have been backing up data from all the public agencies who are in the potential strike zone.

Housekeeping - Those of you who know my Mom lives in Lafayette will be happy to know that we had her come up to Baton Rouge on Tuesday just in case. Lafayette is set to get some of the hurricane force winds and will probably be OK but why take chances.

Earlier this week we did some of our own housekeeping as well. Making sure the gas cans were filled and the few batteries we were low on were restocked. We also decided to add another 7 gallons of water to the mix since we figured someone else would be at the house at some point.

Today has been an odd day. The wind started early this morning along with the drizzle. We went ahead and put in all the items on the patio that we had finally put out last weekend. Good thing the garage is still clean. Most of the day has had strong gusts of wind with some rain. Around 2:00pm the rain really started pouring. I drove home and had to stop several times due the amount of rain coming in at a 90 degree angle and various puddles. The ditches, bayous and drains are full but no signs of flooding yet.

There was a tornado spotted in Ascension Parish so Rochelle and the kids spent a brief period of time in the master bedroom closet while it passed. Fortunately, it didn't make it to Prairieville. There are other parishes where tornados have been spotted. Most of Baton Rouge still has power. We have flickered but nothing serious.

I just received word from my Cousin and Aunt in Lafayette that the wind and rain has bee going nuts since about 2:00pm. No power loss yet but they expect to. Like many people they purchased a generator and window unit air-conditioner. Since the temp hit 100 degrees this week, an AC is important.

I have contacts in Lake Charles/Calcasieu Parish and they are fine thus far. They have planned for the worst. I'll keep up with them this weekend and update everyone. Cameron Parish is right on the LA-TX border and was just about wiped out after hurricane Audrey. They actually evacuated on Wednesday. When I say evacuated, I mean that the public offices packed up computers and file cabinets. They learned their lesson after Audrey wiped out about 50% of the population.