I would like to ask that all of you please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as the hurricane approaches the TX/La areas.

You got it!

Its amazing how cyclical these things really are.  I want to come visit 'ya all, but would prefer not coming down on the Air Force's nickel!

Happy?  Anniversary...

Hopefully it won't strengthen too much in the Gulf. My thoughts are with those in its path.

Stay dry...

LA is presently forecast to get the landfall of Gustav with some part of the state being in the right front quadrant. Also Gustav is forecast to be a Major Hurricane (Cat 3 or higher) at landfall... the Gulf waters are very warm.

Having been through afew storms myself, stay safe... property can be replaced.

God Bless all y'all

The Loop Current is the determining factor...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loop_Current

While I am glad to note that my hurricane shield over Tampa is holding (you'll note how well it worked with Fay), I am not happy to note that it's working so well that LA may be Gustav's victim.

Sadly, it appears that the only question for me is whether I will be revisiting the area as a CAP or ARES member.

To borrow a line:

"Hey - let's be careful out there..."

...And let's hope that everyone's evacuation, mitigation, and recovery plans have been dramatically improved in the past 3 years.


   - Joe

I wish you all the best of luck out there.

Are the CAP units of the region gearing up for a relief effort? 

I haven't heard anything 'official' yet, but my squadron CC mentioned a possibility last week.

We're right next door in MS and will finish our pre-Gustav preps & movements on Sat... wx forecasters and forecast models have been known to be wrong.

And the Gulf Loop temp is around 85-87 F with the central Gulf being around 87-90 F... that's all very warm to hot! Gustav is unfortunately going to spin up like a top and then lose alittle strength just before landfall.

And again, to all our LA brethern... take care and God Bless.

Best of luck..

I am sure things will turn out better this time!

 Be safe.

Just made Cat2. 

My guard unit is on standby to get the standby call. Whatever, we're ready if you need us, whichever uniform I happen to be in at the time. Stay safe, and you got it on the prayers.

Up to Cat 3. It was still a TS when I went to sleep last night, this thing is strengthening fast...

I saw that they are starting to evacuate parts of LA...

Just spent 20 hours providing escort security for the transfer of over 6000 prisoners from Orleans Parish Prison and other local jails up to Angola State Penitentiary.  Some lessons were learned  :clap:   Much easier to do before the storm.  Hopefully I'll be able to prep my house today.  We are already stocked with supplies. 

Not sure if I'll be able to play with CAP after.  Hope everyone is safe and, as Lt. Col White asked, keep us in your thoughts/prayers.  Thanks in advance for anyone coming down in any capacity.  If you see a middle aged, salt & peppered hair guy with Attorney General on clothing; stop me and I'll buy you a MRE or luke warm water.

       

http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=4619

CAP emergency services teams prepare for storm's landfall
SE, SW Region wings alert as Gustav nears

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – As Hurricane Gustav moves closer to the Gulf Coast, Civil Air Patrol members are making preparations to safeguard CAP assets and preparing to respond to requests for assistance after the storm makes landfall.

Gustav is forecast to enter the Gulf of Mexico this weekend and could impact the gulf states by early next week. The storm is projected to move in a northwesterly direction, but it is too early to tell specifically where landfall will occur.

According to CAP's national commander, Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, the all-volunteer organization is prepared. CAP's National Operations Center has issued an alert order for wings in the organization's Southeast and Southwest regions to update resource lists, aircraft lists and alert rosters, initiate communications checks and test specialized assets as the storm approaches.

On Friday, CAP's Texas and Mississippi wings were relocating assets, including planes, vehicles and equipment owned by the all-volunteer organization. The Alabama Wing was making preparations as well.

"Alabama Wing has activated a mission command staff and is identifying aircrew, ground team, urban direction finding (UDF) team and mission staff members who are available for a one- or two-week tour after the storm makes landfall," said Maj. John P. Neil, director of operations for the wing.

"In the meantime, members there are making sure all equipment, vehicles and aircraft are ready for a possible deployment," Neil said, adding this includes making sure that 24-hour packs and aircrew packs are stocked with fresh water, snacks and change of clothing, all batteries are charged or there are fresh ones for the radios, DFunits or GPS units, and the aircraft and vehicles are full.

Capt. Steven Solomon, director of public affairs for CAP's Southeast Region, said the organization's Florida Wing also is on the move, directing its Groups 1 and 2 RECON trained members to be ready, if needed.

The preparations along the Gulf Coast are being made as CAP encourages its 56,000 members nationwide to observe National Preparedness Month (NPM) in September. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security annually sponsors National Preparedness Month as a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. Throughout the month, the Department of Homeland Security will work with Civil Air Patrol and other organizations to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness planning.

According to Courter, CAP is a National Preparedness Month coalition member, encouraging members and their communities to participate in NPM's Ready Campaign, which emphasizes four main focus areas:

    *Get a kit.

    *Make a plan.

    *Be informed.

    *Get involved.

"There are many opportunities to participate in National Preparedness Month, and we encourage all members and their communities to check out all the tools and ideas available," said Courter, referring them to the Ready Campaign Web site, www.ready.gov.

3-Day track has it in LA on Tues morning.

Quote from: MikeD on August 30, 2008, 04:18:06 AM
I wish you all the best of luck out there.

Are the CAP units of the region gearing up for a relief effort? 

Mississippi Wing has been put on alert.

Several of my squadron's pilots have been tasked to relocate aircraft to our airport (KOLV) and we've and members have updated their availability status for ES needs. We've also tested our phone tree and communication systems.

Just saw on TWC, a flight from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (aka the Hurricane Hunters) has reported winds of up to 145mph, Category 4.

NHC is now saying landfall Monday afternoon...(see above graphic, which should be updating)...