Hurricane Isaac

Hello my darlings! I hope you don't think I've forgotten about all of you and your quest for good manners. We had an uninvited house guest by the name of Hurricane Isaac stay waaaay past his welcome. I hope any readers in Louisiana/Mississippi/Alabama are safe and sound and dry! I still don't have power after three days, so I'm thinking a nice hotel room in the French Quarter will have to do this weekend! After all, Southern Decadence Festival is this weekend, and the country's most fabulous drag queens will be descending upon our fair city. I think I deserve some dancing and decadence ;)

First of all, I want to say a huge THANK YOU to the NOPD, NOFD, our city leaders, nurses, doctors, power workers, reporters, meteorologists, National Guardsmen, and all of the wonderful folks of Louisiana that came together to not only get ready for this storm, but immediately got to work after the storm. These folks kept our beloved city and state safe. We were all well informed, and stayed that way during the storm. A lot of people scoffed that this was only a Category 1 Hurricane. Not Governor Jindal and Mayor Landrieu. They immediately got to work, and I think this saved a lot of lives. A lot of people lost everything, and it will take years to rebuild certain parts of the state. But we've done it before and we'll do it again. I think the citizens of our great state got to work immediately as well, and did exactly what was asked of them. Since the storm, I've seen great examples of neighbors helping neighbors, and I know that will continue in the weeks and months to come. 

I ask you guys to keep the people of the Gulf Coast in your prayers. There are a lot of misplaced folks, with a long road of recovery ahead. If you feel the need to volunteer or donate, The Red Cross can assist you with that. I love this city and I hope you do too. I can't imagine living anywhere else in the world!

Now of course I have some Hurricane Manners for you guys! You aren't getting off the hook that easily! First off- if you have the chance to stock up on booze, do it! Don't wait on all your friends to buy out the Abita stash at Rouses. Every man for himself. You might be facing three or more days without power. What else are you gonna do? Drink. Now don't be silly and forget to get that pallet of water and an extra bag of ice. It wouldn't be polite to be begging your neighbors for these essential items when the clouds clear and the power's still not on. Trust me, it gets hot when the storm rolls out of town. 

Also, I know that feeling of just needing to get out of the house! But sometimes it's just not safe to joyride and look at all the damage. You are only getting in the way of the police officers and first responders who are trying to get to people in need. Plus, there are branches everywhere and the possibility of downed power lines. That is more trouble that you need to find. If you see standing water, do not drive through it! There could be a giant manhole underneath and you are just being a nuisance. When you cause a wake, it pushes the water into people's homes and businesses. As I kept hearing on my handy-dandy weather radio all week, "Turn Around, Don't Drown!"

I shouldn't have to say this, but don't loot. As Mayor Landrieu says, "If you loot, you get a new orange suit."

Make sure you bring in your plants and yard furniture. Always, always check on your neighbors. And please make sure you take care of your pets. They can't just take themselves to a shelter when the storms coming. You are the shelter! And if you've got a generator, share with your neighbors! Those things are so loud, but I'm guessing an offer to charge up a cell phone will keep your neighbor from complaining. 

Be careful out there guys! Heed the warnings! And if you are asked to evacuate, then by all means evacuate! If not, stock up on supplies, have a little hurricane fun and mind your manners!