Here we go again.....
It was less than a week ago that we were drenched with 25 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Isadore, and now there's Hurricane Lili rearing it's ugly head some 350 miles south of us and heading in our general direction.
The authorities here are already making preparations SHOULD an evacuation be called for. Last time N.O. evacuated was for Hurricane Georges and over 1/2 of the population of the city bailed-out (pardon the pun). We were spared massive destruction and flooding then. But, after last weeks problem with I-10 getting flooded, and preventing some from leaving town and getting trapped in their cars on I-10 Westbound, the authorites are making alternate plans should evacuation be called for.
Here's the deal:
I-10 runs East-West. About 3 miles from downtown I-10 runs UNDERNEATH a set of railroad tracks (by the cemetaries). This 'dip' in the highway tends to fill with water up to 15 feet deep. Last week it filled up and left hundreds of motorists trapped on I-10 without a way to get home the afternoon before Isadore hit. This problem with the flooding at this location will not be corrected for another couple of years (construction on a pumping station, coincidently is currently underway already). So, what the LA State Troopers have proposed is re-routing all I-10 West-bound traffic onto Airline Drive (US-90 North) should rainfall exceed 2 inches per hour, beginning today, until Lili passes. This should reassure all visitors and residents that there will indeed be a route of evacuation should the rains from Lili begin flooding that area of I-10 again.
Once motorists are routed onto Airline Dr. (US-90 North) they will have the oppportunity to regain access to I-10 via Causeway Blvd North. From there it should be easy going as far away from N.O. as you wish to go.
Now, there will be heavy traffic should an evacuation be called for, so if you decide to leave N.O., you should begin preparations now while the streets are still clear of floodwaters and before freaked out drivers in their SUVs and Minivans begin plowing through flooded streets, swamping homes and other cars.
I hope this info helps any of you that may be concerned about friends & family in and around the N.O. area and their ability to get out should the need to. Just tell them to being preparing now. Already 1/2 of the shops on Royal St in the French Quarter have boarded up their windows. Me...I'm working until I feel it's the right time to get going. Then, I'm probably going to stay in N.O. if Lili is a category 2 or less. Wish us luck!
-Gene

Thanks for the info Gene. We're all wishing you guys the best of luck with Lilli and hope you don't get more rain and wind than you can handle.

The live cam on Exchange Alley shows signs blowing hard in the wind. I guess we'll know when you lose electricity when the cam stops...

Thanks again for the local viewpoint, and know we're all hoping for the best for you all!

I've been checking the Tripsmarter live cam as well as watching the Weather Channel. As I'm writing, it has just been downgraded to a CAT 2 but that is still plenty strong.

With any good fortune, the winds and surge will mellow as it hits.

Thanks to all the well-wishers!
We're about 1/2 the way through hurricane Lilly here in N.O..
She weakened significantly just prior to landfall and she's not much more than a windy, rainy storm here in N.O..
LImited flooding, power outages....I just got power back recently.

Southwest of here in places like Cocodrie, Dulac, Lafayette, Morgan City, it may be a different case. Those are low lying areas and it's a good thing that about 150,000 people decided to evacuate.

So, if you're planning on traveling to N.O. this weekend.....KEEP YOUR PLANS! The airport is scheduled to reopen at 5:00pm Today.

Later.
-Gene