In the Wake of Katrina... Ernesto

Tropical Storm Ernesto
A phone call with my parents this morning reminded me of the old August-September hurricane woes. It's about this time of year that the Gulf gets a hurricane. Indeed, this time last year, we were watching Katrina (permanently referred to as "the Storm" by my New Orleans friends) inch her way toward us.

Tonight, it is Ernesto, which is not in hurricane status yet. It's alarming to think of the "what-if" scenarios. New Orleans and the patched-up levee system is not prepared for another storm. The Mississippi Gulf coast and the Texas-Louisiana coast are also still recovering from last season. Not that there's ever a good time or place for storms, but this is definitely not ideal for a number of reasons. And it's ironic to imagine the Katrina commemoration events being cancelled because of Ernesto coming ashore anywhere in the vicinity.

Latest on the Storm
Weather Center's Enresto Watch
MSNBC's Ernesto Watch
Baton Rouge News' Storm Coverage
Brief from New Orleans

The Folks Back Home
The Baton Rouge news claims generators are going fast. My parents already have a generator and a good stock of water, so they're set to ride it out. The wrinkle for us personally is that my Mom was planning to fly up to see me for her birthday this weekend. We will see how the storm affects the New Orleans airport. Last year I caught one of the last flights out of Baton Rouge the day before Katrina for a business trip and watched the whole storm from Dallas. I'm hoping my Mom can do the same. Actually, I'm hoping some miracle happens and nobody has to ride out the storm. Period.

My Guess
When storms hit the Gulf, they take an Easterly jog, so Florida gets the majority. My guess is that the Florida panhandle will get this one since they usually get the early storms. Either way, everyone along the coast has to keep an eye open at the moment.

Ernesto's Projected Path - 5 p.m. 26 Aug
Source: National Hurricane Center