Once again we were faced with a possible hurricane where it would hit we did not know….

Storm Path:

Date: Sep. 11, 2008
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Winds: 100 mph
Strength: Cat. 2
Direction: Moving WNW at 10 mph
Latitude: 26 N
Longitude: 89.4 W

This was the beginning for us. It has flooded the islands of Haiti and Cuba with severe weather. But the prediction at this time was that is would head west to Corpus Christi.The storm was large and took up almost all of the gulf. But we felt relief.

But …. 12 hours later we went from tropical effects to hurricane effects.

Storm Path:

Date: Sep. 12, 2008
Time: 5:00 a.m. ET
Winds: 105 mph
Strength: Cat. 2
Direction: Moving W at 15 mph
Latitude: 26.7 N
Longitude: 91.6 W

0300 UTC FRI SEP 12 2008

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MORGAN CITY LOUISIANA TO
BAFFIN BAY TEXAS. HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE
WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT
LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

AT 1000 PM CDT…0300 UTC…THE HURRICANE WATCH SOUTH OF BAFFIN BAY
TO PORT MANSFIELD HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED…BUT A TROPICAL STORM
WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THAT AREA.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS ALSO IN EFFECT FROM EAST OF MORGAN CITY
TO THE MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA BORDER…INCLUDING THE CITY OF NEW
ORLEANS AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN.

Even though this is very typical of hurricanes. We could not believe we would be repeating Rita’s aftermath again. One day relief, the next day terror. With a storm like this we knew there was no hope that we would not have water. We were on the east side and could possible be even closer to the center. Now we knew water but how much and would it be high enough to flood us. Not a good premonition.

Storm Path:

Date: Sep. 13, 2008
Time: 5:00 a.m. ET
Winds: 110 mph
Strength: Cat. 2
Direction: Moving NW at 15 mph
Latitude: 29.7 N
Longitude: 95 W
The storm hit Galveston. It hit with great force. Now the truth was there. Water for us, but homes in Crystal Beach disappeared. Even though we were in Slidell, we knew it had happened again. But how bad we would not know until we got home.

Sunday, we drove into Lafayette and headed to David’s house. Thank heavens, he had enough room for us to stay a few days. We were relieved. We were not sure how long before we could see exactly what it was like in Bancker. Information from a friend had said that the water was back over Highway 330 just like before. He was unable to get to his house. So we knew we could not. This was Steve’s birthday. Mary made a cake for him and had a little birthday party with Trey and Amanda.

Monday morning Trey and Steve left and traveled down to Bancker. Early in the morning they could not get through. They then went back at noon and then around 3. The last time Henry Faciane was there with his tractor and said he would take them to the house. When they got to the house, there was no water as before, but it was quite obvious that we had flooded again. It appeared to be less than than for Rita. On Tuesday, Steve and I went down.
There was water, but we were able to ride through it and get back. On Wednesday, Steve took David down with him. We began the clean up. By the time I drove down, the water had gone down and I could drive with no problem.