Rita: Up Around the Bend

That's right, we've gone from making REO Speedwagon references to Creedence Clearwater Revival references (*) in regard to Hurricane Rita's shift to the east. If nothing else, that just solidifies my decision to sit tight and wait the sucker out. Many of the highways are at a standstill, however, and that's starting to cause some concern on the nonstop news broadcasts here in town (btw - if you're a temporarily displaced H-towner, Channel 2 is webcasting their broadcast).

Over at StormWatchers, JayLee has some interesting photos to show the state of panic that has swept through our local storefronts. Rylee, for some strange reason, is still riding it out in LaMarque. That's going to be a rough ride no matter what best case scenario is still around. Last I heard of Laurence, he was heading to the north part of the county to confab with another local blogger. Adam is getting a little loopy since he's using the "royal our" in sentences. Not sure what that says about me ... I've been using the "royal we" for quite some time now.

Anne, over at bH, has a post proclaiming appreciation for the local leadership we've had in this time of stress. Color me a bit more reserved in that judgement. On the whole, I think the gang in charge has done a reasonably good job. But the final assessment really comes down to "What could we have done differently with hindsight that we really should have known without the benefit of hindsight." Right now, those clogged highways are an open question as to the planning and foresight that went into this thing. There may have been steps that White and Eckels (and possibly even Perry) could have taken to ease the chaos some at the gas pumps and on the freeways. Maybe even a few moves to help stock the shelves with bottled water. Then again, that may all be for naught ... or we may see some other element of whatever master plan there is to magically clear the freeways somehow. No telling. But that's why they call it an open question.

On the plus side, I think the evacuation orders and calls to shut down non-essential business today and tomorrow were well in order. Even working out of home, it's been enough of a challenge to make sure everything is in order before making a final decision on whether I stay or go (ed. note - what, a Clash reference now?). As it stands, I'm staying, but the emergency kit to flee with sits in safe, easy to access grounds here in Fort Greg.

In about 24-36 hours, we'll see what the worst is. Bring it on, Mother Nature.

(*) ... While most people associate "Up Around the Bend" with the original work of Creedence Clearwater Revival, I would like to make an historical note that, I think clarifies my coolness index a bit. The song was covered by 80s rockers Hanoi Rocks and that version rocked a bit more than the Fogerty version. So there.

UPDATE: Cam shots on Channel 2 of 290 headed outta town show that traffice there has lightened up a good deal.