Issac to Test Gulf Coast. You ready?

All of the attention has turned from Florida to the Gulf of Mexico.  The path of Issac is carrying it towards the Gulf of Mexico.  A number of forecast have the storm heading towards the mouth of the Mississippi. 

 So much depends on a shortwave trough (at 15000 ft) that will pass over the central US in two days.  If the shortwave trough digs deep enough south it may influence Hurricane Issac to  turn north before reaching New Orleans.  But that would mean land-falling hurricane in  Alabama or Mississippi most likely.   If the trough is does not influence Issac, it will go further west.  The land falling areas would be Louisiana or even Texas.    Even if that happens, there may be a considerable amount of water heading towards the levee system. 


7 Years ago,  and three day before Katrina was to make landfall, the forecast was for a land-fall in the Panhandle. 

Of course it went  took took a path and the nightmare began for thousands trapped in New Orleans. 
But the question is will it be different this time?  Landfall based on a number of models would be in approximately 60-72 hours (Tuesday/Wednesday). 

In the classroom and in life, exams are given to test our comprehension, our discipline and ability to learn and evolve.  While it is possible to get an A on a exam where there are book solutions, life's exams are not the same.  The solutions never work out exactly the way that we want and they are not supposed to because we are to learn, evolve and grow.  We must fail or we can never grow. 

So, Issac has already tested Haiti and we have learned that she is not ready but maybe will learn before the next test.  Now the Gulf Coast will be tested.  If the Issac impacts New Orleans, is the levee system ready?  Is the evacuation plan in place to keep all of the people safe?  Will there be a serious effort to go to low lying areas of New Orleans and really try to ensure that the most vulnerable can evacuate. 


The Hurricane Pam exercises that occurred before Katrina did not work as planned.  What about the new Plan??  I sincerely hope that each individual no matter where they are on the Gulf Coast will tget ready. The next test is coming.   Remember the victims of Katrina and those of the New Orleans Diaspora whose lives have been changed forever.  They also taught all of us lessons. 

Get your emergency gear together.  Contact your people and if necessary decide you going stay in touch if cell phone service is lost.  Get your medicine, cash, you important documents and most precious pictures.   Be ready to move if evacuation is called and contact all your people.    Even if Issac never comes into New Orleans, at least you can say you are ready for the test. 

Be ready, Be well.