Been really busy today getting ready for the storm. Jarred and I got up early and went to the bulk ice machine and got 220 lbs of ice. Our big seachest held 140lbs!! Whew! I went on to Target and stocked up on more "essentials" candy, chips, cookies, etc. I did pick up some more water, and diapers for the new baby. We are pretty ready.

They have changed our forecast a bit, now calling for 70-80 mph winds. Tropical storm force will start about 3am (lasting 24hours) and then hurricane force about 3pm (lasting about 5 hours). Our max gust during Katrina was 49mph. So, this will be more. A friend told me that during Andrew we lost water for 3 days and power for a week.

I am filling up the crawfish pot with extra water as I type, and will fill up the bathtubs for water for the toilets just in case. Jarred is cooking gumbo, yummy. So, we are sort of holing up for the night. We just got our first little rain, so the bands are starting to come in. I better go and make sure my rain gauge is ready.

FYI, I am in the very extreme lower SW corner of East Baton Rouge parish, right on the parish line. So, if you are looking at weather channel you will know. Lucie is in the southeast corner of LaSalle Parish. She should be just fine with TS force winds for a short time.

I have charged my camera batteries so I can take some pictures and I will try to post them as things progress (if I can).