07L: Hurricane Gustav

[Sam Sagnella]

There was some MAJOR heroism seen on the part of Inner Harbor Navigation control worker Bill Zar this morning (and many others obviously, but this is pretty extreme). There was a large propane tank floating near one of the levee walls of the Industrial Canal, with some significant concerns that it might 'battering-ram' its way through the barrier. (All of this was captured by Fox News cameras btw) He jumped in the water with a life vest, a life-line and a towing cable and swam up to the tank, to which he successfully attached the cable. The ACoE pulled him back onto their vessel using the life-line, after which they pulled the barrel away from the wall. Wow. Brig.Gen. Robert Van Antwerp is quoted on nola.com as saying that Zar "said he was no worse for the wear and that the water was warm, but salty."
http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2008/09/ihnc_lock_employee_takes_one_f.html

 

[B Ozanne]

Does anybody have the links for tide/surge gauges in Ponchartrain?

Levees are failing in Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes. I'm getting mixed signals as to whether or not they are being successfully plugged.

Edit: Looks like a minor trickle going under one which they seem to be gaining on, but the other side is supposed to more dire. They are losing ground on over-topping.

 

[rdale]

http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~gadomski/windsort.txt -- all those observing sites it passed over and only a few even GUSTED to hurricane strength let alone approached the 115mph SUSTAINED it had at landfall... Is there a better source for measured winds?

 

[Jeff Piotrowski]

Flood event is forecasted for Eastern OK/Western Arkansas

It now appears that Gustav will stall over SE-OK/NE TX with rain totals from 5"-10" with isolated amounts of 20" east Fort Smith.

Link to Tulsa NWS: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/briefing/player.html

I also expect a fair amount of tornado reports over the next three days in Arkansas/Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana to the NE of the TD.

 

[Jason Young]

It would be nice to get some action close to home. Been awhile since we had any in my area.

 

[Saul Trabal]

The Weather Channel has reported 14 tornadoes with Gustav so far.

 

[rdale]

Mayor Nagin is on WDSU / DirectTV Ch361 now saying that another storm surge could be headed toward NO tonight - anyone know what's happening with that? What could be causing a "secondary" surge this late?

The Weather Channel has reported 14 tornadoes with Gustav so far.

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/today.html

 

[rdale]

Someone asked how he felt with the storm not doing as much damage as he said it would prior to the storm -- and I quote -- "it proved the city can withstand a category 3 storm with category 3 winds." Exact quote.

 

[Jay McCoy]

Shows how ignorant he actually is. N.O. was brushed by a Cat2 and the levees were being topped. Max windfs I saw reported in NO was around 75mph. If it had been about 20 miles more east and had been a mid cat 3 the levees would have been failed for sure. He cost lives in Katrina and now saying this people wont evacuate next time unless it is actually a 4. What is he going to say if those levees south do fail?? oops I was wrong.

 

[Bob Schafer]

There was some MAJOR heroism seen...

Sam, with all due respect to the guy, I didn't see it as being major heroism. Yeah, Geraldo got all excited (I was watching it live), but that water wasn't deep, there was no current, he was only about 20 feet from other structures he could easily swim to, and there were other people there who could have helped if any problems had arisen (how?). I'm not sure I have all those *facts* 100% correct, but that was my take.

Mayor Nagin is on WDSU / DirectTV Ch361 now saying that another storm surge could be headed toward NO tonight - anyone know what's happening with that? What could be causing a "secondary" surge this late?

Someone asked how he felt with the storm not doing as much damage as he said it would prior to the storm -- and I quote -- "it proved the city can withstand a category 3 storm with category 3 winds." Exact quote.

Ummm, why would you ever take anything he says at face value? He's one of the most entertaining characters to watch on TV ever, though. I love watching him. Hilarious!!! Remember when Rita was about 36 hours offshore, and he said "NOBODY KNOWS where this hurricane is going!"? Still cracks me up.

 

[rdale]

From all I can find it was barely a category 1... Remember sustained winds at 30ft, not gusts.

 

[Jay McCoy]

Sam, with all due respect to the guy, I didn't see it as being major heroism. Yeah, Geraldo got all excited (I was watching it live), but that water wasn't deep, there was no current, he was only about 20 feet from other structures he could easily swim to, and there were other people there who could have helped if any problems had arisen (how?). I'm not sure I have all those *facts* 100% correct, but that was my take.

He jumped into water full of debris and toxic material such as oil, fuel, sewage etc.. to grab onto a propane tank that was slamming into a building and could have ruptured at any second and part of the levee could have failed any second sucking him right along with the surge. All to save the levee and hundreds of homes. If that isnt heroic then I would like to see what you definition is. He risked his life to save property/life. A lifeline was no guarantee he wouldnt drowned or get slammed by other debris.

 

[Steve Bottkol]

IMO...

He could have easily said..not my problem, and gone on his way. I salute his efforts and courage!! It just goes to show there are still people in this world that don't think of themselves, and think of others!! This man could have very well saved alot of property for alot of residents...Hero..your darn skippy he is!!!!

Steve

 

[Patrick Marsh]

Yeah, well this guy is no Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris would have let the levee fail, drank the water as it tried to flow into NOLA, and then urinated on Iran.

In all seriousness, what the guy did is certainly above and beyond what is in his job description. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he gets a call from the governor / President in the days to come. My hat is off to him - and the others who were out today taking care of the levees.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

Have you ever been in the uncomfortable position that you found yourself to be the only person in the best position to help someone in a moment of time? And if you didn't do it - that you thought you couldn't face yourself - or mentally kick at yourself - for dropping the 'ball' every time you thought about it?

If it ever happened to you before, you may well act next time. Maybe this poor fellow that took the oppertunity because he didn't want to feel that way again. Give him a break. And if you find yourseld in the position of having to be a 'hero' in order to save someone's life, don't let the stigma of being called a 'hero' stop you from doing it. Maybe someone else may have to do something for you someday - too. Give the guy a break...

BTW - The NWS shows 17 confirmed tornadoes on the ground - so far - today. Did any of those who went out to meet the storm bag any photos? It's too late tonight to see anything for spotting or chasing - unless they have night vision equipment and there isn't any lightning to screw it up.