They're saying on the news that New Orleans was lucky, we missed a direct hit. I can't say we're lucky though. 80% of New Orleans is under water. Jefferson Parish (Kenner & Metairie) is under water as well, no electricity or water. Jefferson Parish president is telling people not to come home before Monday. Mama is in Bush, LA with Robbie & Patsy and no one has been able to talk to them since Monday morning. We think they're okay, just no water or electricity. Janine & Michael and children are at their home in Mandeville and no word from them since Monday morning either. We don't know about their area, whether it flooded or not but Janine's house sits on wetlands so we're very concerned. David stayed in Slidell at a friend's house and no word from him since Sunday night. Slidell was the hardest hit in Louisiana. One news report said that you can't tell where Lake Pontchatrain ended and Slidell began.
Angela and Joey are in Destin, FL and doing fine. They're having no problems there. Joey's entire family is there with them. Katie & Kevin and kids are in Houston and doing okay. Elizabeth & Scott are outside of Orlando with Scott's parents. Mandeville & Madisonville where Katie & Elizabeth live look okay, maybe just wind damage from what we can tell, but for now no power or water so that's keeping them away. I'm in Atlanta with Phil & the boys.
New Orleans is now under martial law. Two levees broke and water just keeps pouring into the city. Who knows when we'll be able to return. We left in such a hurry on Saturday, I didn't pack much. None of us did. I'm sure all of us thought this would be another one of those times that we'd be returning the next day with no damage and no problems.
For now, just keep us in your prayers.
Christina, Thank you for the update. I have been thinking (&praying) about all of you. I can't imagine what it must be like. I just hope you are all well. Does cell phone service work?? Please keep us posted. Carol
Christina, thanks so much for keeping us informed. Thinking of you all. xoxoxo
Christina: thanks for the update. I tried to call Sue several times this am but only got a busy signal. I was hoping she had talked to your Mom,Janine, and David (I knew they stayed in N.O.). What a nightmare! Keeping all of you in our prayers.
We have not heard from mama, Robbie, Janine or David yet. We are very anxious to see how they are doing. We think mama's house is okay from what we heard on www.wwltv.com. They said that Kenner is flooded from Airline to the river and from Veterans to the lake. Mama is about 3-4 miles from the river. The Causeway is damaged and the twin span (I10 that connects Slidel, where David lives, to New Orleans East is washed away). The scenes from the television are just unbelievable! Angela, Joey and Samuel are in Destin but are coming here tomorrow to wait it out. Scott's brother lives in New Orleans and is staying at his parents'lake house. We'll let you know if we hear anything from Mama, Robbie, Janine or David.
Hi,
I am a worried mother posting from Illinois. The news programs here only show New Orleans and Biloxi, does anyone know how folks in Bogalusa are doing? I can't get through by phone and my son lives there. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
JC
Sue and Christina thank you for the updates. As has been said before - you are all in our prayers. The pictures are just aweful and I hope that we hear from your mom, Janine and David very soon. God willing all are safe.
Lizzie called tonight from her in-laws' house to let us know she will be coming here tomorrow. A neighbor contacted her to let her know that there are three trees on her house. Needless to say, she was extremely upset. I have had many friends offer their homes for my family members who need to seek refuge. I will probably take one of them up tomorrow night after Lizzie and Angela arrive. We are happy to be here for them. So many people in New Orleans don't have a place to go. It's a horrible, horrible mess. We still have not heard from Mama, Robbie, Janine or David and are so anxious to hear that they are alright.
We are in Ocala, FL right now. We evacuted on Saturday. We just found out today that Jim's room has been crushed by a tree. We don't know about any other rooms. Our shed and our playhouse has been crushed, too. So far, my parents are planning on going up to Atlanta,GA. If anybody gets any information, don't bother calling our cell phones as they have been down for the past day and a half now and just post it. You can try to texting (or whatever the word is) my cellphone anytime. It may (or may not) get through. Here is the number. cell phone# 1-985-264-2985.
We've heard news about Aunt Janine! She and her family is safe and are now headed out west. She had a tree through her house, too. I don't know if there is any other damage. Still haven't heard from Uncle Robbie and Maw-Maw. We're leaving today to Atlanta. Just wanted to keep y'all updated.
I talked to Janine this morning. They're in good spirits. The tree fell on their roof and lots of trees down in their yard. Michael was able to drive to Slidell and went to David's house. It's fine, just lots of trees down but no flooding & no severe damage. Still no word from David or Robbie.
I heard one report today say Jefferson Parish schools will be out for two months. We are being allowed to return on Monday but only to retrieve items, not to stay.
To all Ferraras:
We have a limited amount of space available if you need a short term respite from your current living arrangements. Give us a call if you want to/and are able to head north to Wisconsin(715 442-6942). Nancy and John
Ditto from us. Actually we could put up a whole family in the basement I think. Carol
Hello everyone! We're in Laffayette LA with some wonderful friends. We plan to go home tomorrow to see what is left of our home. We're very optimistic! We have a loaned generator, thanks to Kevin's company. I feel so very privelaged even now, before seeing what has happened to my home. I have so much to be thankful for. Even if my home is gone! I plan to go to see if Rob and Patsy and Mama are okay and offer them an out if they want it. I'll try to keep you posted.
this is for JC, the worried mother! bogalusa isn't bad at all, my friend has talked to a friend of ours there and he said that there is little to no damage! I hope this new calms your nerves a bit.
news*** not new, sorry for the mess up
Thinking and praying for all of you. What a mess? Thanks so much for the updates and I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Love Beth
We just heard from Mama & Robbie. They're okay. They were heading to Baton Rouge to get gas for a generator & more food and supplies. They have no long term plans right now. Everyone in our family is fine. We have no homes but we're all okay. We are truly blessed.
Hi everyone, I am so glad for this site to be able to keep up with all of you. Thank God you're all safe. You are in our prayers every day. Kevin, I keep trying to call, but cannot get through. If you get a chance, please give me a call (you, too, Katie). I love you all.
Your northern relative, Sheila
I'm so glad to hear about Robbie & Aunt Ginnie. I know Michael had been to David's house but didn't see David. What do we know about him?
We heard from David yesterday. He went to Baton Rouge to gather more supplies, but planned to go back to his friend's house in Slidell to ride out the aftermath.
Joey and I drove in from Destin late last night. The gas situation was grim. We stopped at several gas stations between here and there and most were out of gas with long lines waiting for more. We were able to get enough to get here, but we keep hearing stories about no gas in LA.
Scott Soule and Phil left this morning for Mandeville. Scott wants to secure his house. He brought a generator and some gas, food, and water with him. He also brought a chainsaw and hopes to deal with the downed trees.
Text messages are getting through to the cell phones. Try those everyone.
Thanks for all the updates. I'm so glad you are all alive and well, though I'm sure you are feeling exhausted. What did you mean by no homes??? To what extent was the damage or don't you know yet? Love, Carol
Well, we think we all fared well as far as damage to our homes though we haven't heard from Katie yet and no one has checked on mama's house. None of us can return to our homes in the near future though. Jefferson Parish has said we cannot return for a month and St. Tammany Parish is still not livable. In spite of this, we feel very blessed and fortunate.
I know I am far away, but if there is any kind of assistance my family can give to you, please don't hesitate to ask. I know you want to stay near your homes, but we all have plenty of space to take any of you in if you choose to head North. Please know that we are thinking of you often and are ready and able to assist in anyway we can!!!
Hi all! We have been reading the blog and thinking of you each day! Thank you for keeping us posted. You are in our thoughts and prayers!! Our homes are open to you at any time. Please let us know what we can do to help!
Katie T.
Thank God you are all ok. If there is anything - anything at all that you need and we can help please don't hesitate to ask. Was Robbie's house also damaged, being the furthest from the coast? We'll keep you in our prayers.
hey ya'll its brittney from washington. im so glad ya'll are ok!! you've been in ALL our prayers and thoughts sence the day we heard about the huricane!! mary, i heard your home got the most damage, is that true?? i would hope not!! thats terrible!! anyways i started school at St. John Vianneys Cathlic School last week and we are now having a bake sale to help get some money for the huricane victoms who need it. i know its not much but i hope it helps at leats some of the ppl who need help. well love ya'll so much!! buh-bye!!
Love Ya,
Brittney(or brenny if you prefer;)
Thank God you are all OK. Any family member or entire family or families that want to come north is welcome at our home in Maple Plain, MN. We have a couple spare bedrooms, now that Christina & Maria are back to school at Univ of St. Thomas.
We would be honored to have you stay with us as long as you need to; even to get the kids in school & try to get some sense of normalcy back into your lives. We have enough of everything to take care of you, & most of all alot of love & heart-felt compassion for the troubles you're all experiencing. Please feel free to call us at home (763)479-6985, or my cell# (612)819-7202, or my work# (952)475-8466 if you need anything at all.
Pam & I are hoping you all can keep us up to date if there's something you need. We're so happy that everybody is OK. All our love & prayers go out to our Aunt Ginny, our cousins, & their families. May God bless you all.
From your cousins up-north,
Dan & Pam Bye, Christina, Maria, & Erica.
o yah one more thing.... dont forget to send me the pics from when i was up there, amy!! specilaly the ones w/ samual in them!! hes SO cute!! well anyways gots to go!! love ya'll so much!!!!!!!!!!! buh-bye!!
Love Ya,
Brenny