Printer Friendly Forum Posts - So any details? Hurricane Katrina

My home has some damage, minor compared to some of my neighbors. We've had several vehicles and houses destroyed by falling trees and tornadoes. Power has been out since last Sunday night. We have been running an inverter off of a deep cycle battery to power a laptop and a DSL modem when we can. Gasoline is very scarce. The gas stations that open only do so during the day and are running on generators. The lines for gas are typically over a mile long.

We evacuated to Destin, FL Sunday evening after backing up all of our data and came back Wednesday night because we couldn't stay anywhere with our dog and we were concerned about our neighbors that stayed behind. We lost cell service 200 miles east of here on our way back and there was no gas to be found after we passed Mobile, AL. We saw damage for nearly 200 miles east of of us and we know of damage to friends homes as far as 50 miles west of us. I had to pick up fallen road signs to find my way through what was once very familiar territory. It's definitely not a pretty site down here.

Most of my family's homes are damaged or destroyed on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain on the outskirts of New Orleans and will be displaced for at least a month if not months.

We've also heard from friends in surrounding areas of massive amounts of people that have lost their lives that didn't get out, and the numbers continue to rise.

You can watch and listen to several live feeds by visiting the links I've posted here.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

My heart goes out to all of my fellow car audio heads in the gulf coast. 12volt good work on getting up and running so fast. You are The Man posted_image We had a few storms here in the Sunshine State, but not like what you guys just went thru. Good Luck to all of you.

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Big Dave

speedwayaudio1 wrote:

My heart goes out to all of my fellow car audio heads in the gulf coast. 12volt good work on getting up and running so fast. You are The Man

x2... I needed a support forum while this site was down, I didn't know what to do with my self.

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This site is awesome. I have never not been able to find any info I have been looking for. I never knew where the site originated and I was very dismayed to not be able to access it several days ago. Now I know why the site was down. Words cannot express how glad I am to see it back up. During the time the site was down I searched the net for a comparable site. There is absolutely nothing even close. I just want to say thanks for the great info you have made available.

I am first and foremost VERY grateful to hear that you (12volt) are physically unhurt. I cannot even imagine the emotional and psychological damage you are experiencing. Physical things like servers and cars and (non-historical) houses can be replaced, but the personal belongings - the memories, the friends and family - they are irreplaceable, and I mourn for your losses. I will continue to keep you and all of the people of Louisiana in my thoughts and prayers.

VERY secondly, thanks for getting this forum back up and running. I echo speedway's sentiment - you are the MAN!!!

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Yes, haemphyst says it well and I echo his words....
May you all have the will and faith to make it through this unbelievable catastrophe. Being here in NY we've had our share of bad events also. Stay strong guys, it WILL get better. My condolences go out to everyone who has lost someone due to this trajedy.....
If this site has to go down for a while then so be it. First and foremost is your safety and quality of life. We will check back and no doubt come back when the site is up.
Best wishes!

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I was worried, too, about 12volt and what he was going through. And I missed everybody while this site was down. This catastrophe makes me especially thankful that I have a job to go to and a home to come back to.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

my heart goes out to all that have been effected by this disaster. stay strong, we are all pulling for you here at a plus auto service in rhode island.

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JUST ONE MORE AMP!!!
hu,alpine cva 1005/dva 5205
sound processor,symmetry(first one).
sub amp,power 1000 the terminator.(1992).
subs,spl comp dual 1 ohms.
punch 150hd on a 10" ev.
alotofhighs

My sincerest thanks go out to you guys and those that have made donations. This is a very difficult time for all of us down here, including those that have suffered minimum to no property damage and will be displaced for at least several weeks. We have many friends and their family members that have not been accounted for and communication is still sporadic. Some areas are simply unreachable and power and water will be out for most of the area for the next 4 to 6 weeks, if not longer. This is a real tear jerker and I don't believe it has all set in yet.

With regards to this site, we are on a temporary server until we can either retrieve or replace our own web server. We still do not know the condition of our facility, our server, and other computers, etc.

You can find a few links I have posted about the Hurricane Katrina Aftermath here and I will attempt to add more later today.

Thanks again guys.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Hey VOLT...

Hi VOLT,

It took a while for me to find your website. I am SO glad you posted a message on the main page. I know you're alive.

I'm Lady Fiddler (Chris) from the WD1 Yahoo chat room.

How's your son? Where in Loiusiana do you live? I've sure been thinking about you two!

Listen, if you need a place to relocate we have PLENTY of room. You'd like it here. I'd even get some chickory for your coffee! We're in a small mountain town called Grass Valley, CA. Maybe you could teach me to make gumbo!

Oh, VOLT... times like these make us appreciate those that we love, and without a doubt, I love you and your son!

Reply back when you can. (cdabis@chrisdabis.com)

Chris & Paul

Hi Chris! We are both safe in Mandeville. Thank you so much for the offer. Fortunately for us our home only needs minor repairs, unlike many of my neighbors that have new "house plants" in them now. I'll shoot you an email shortly. ...volt ;)

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Hi VOLT,

Ok, I've told the WD1 folks that you're safe. Not many of the originals are left though.

Now, what do you need? What do your neighbors need?

Chris

Great to hear from you! I missed everyone.

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'85 Toy

Hi Chris, right now we're able to get the essentials we need, though we look forward to hot showers and air conditioning. The majority is still without power and running water. Phone lines are still sporadic and cellular service is random. Insurance and FEMA should cover most of the damage, if not all, though many of my neighbors are unsure of lost income and future employment. Most of us work on the south shore in New Orleans and the immediate surrounding areas, so for them cash is what they need most. Fortunately for me, I'm still receiving a paycheck and can help out, including providing a place to stay for some of our friends and their pets. I'm optimistic that we will fair out okay, but if there is something we need and can't get here, I'll let you know.

Thanks Chris and please stay in touch.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Things are getting better. I'm happy to say we have power and running water in my neighborhood and I just got word that our facility and web server survived, though it will still be several weeks before we can get back in and have it up and running again. I look forward to taking a hot shower instead of a cold bath and shaving again for the first time in ten days (hopefully the line in my house won't be too long, but even if it is, it'll be worth the wait ;)

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Hi Volt,

In a way, Volt, I'm glad the hurricane happened. Chances are we would have lost touch and now that's not possible. I've added your e-mail address to my address book. I tried to send one but it was FORCEFULLY rejected by your mail server. I suspect your mail server isn't up and running yet. Do you have a back-up addy such as hotmail or yahoo?

We've got ladies making quilts here for the victims. Does anyone in your area need one?

I laughed when I played Jambalaya with the band the other day. Everytime I play that I remember your comments after you heard our recording.... "It needs a little more coon ass!" It still does!

Chris (Lady Fiddler)

Hey 12volt,
good to hear to came out so lucky. I didnt get so lucky. Unfortunately, I live (or should I say LIVED) on the south shore, in New Orleans East. My house is under 10 feet of water. But at least my family is ok. We are up in Shreveport,LA now. My inlaws live here and we were actually up here visiting them the week before the storm. I just wish I could have been in New Orleans when the storm approached, that way I could have taken some possessions before evacuating. I wish I had my car(we drove here in my wife's altima), more clothes, insurance papers, and my wedding pictures. One minute I'm on vacation visiting my in-laws, the next day I wake up unemployed and homeless with nothing but the 4 changes of clothes I took with me.

But I guess things could be much worse.... I could be in a shelter, or one of those people on the news being rescued from their rooftops by the coast guard. At least my family is safe and we have a roof over our heads. And best of all, I have internet access.

Hi CutDog504, I'm sorry to hear about your losses, but happy to hear you're safe. What are your immediate plans? Do you need a job in Shreveport or elsewhere? Do you need me to contact anyone down here for you or your family? If I can help in any way, please let me know.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Chris, our email server is up and running. Please try sending again.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Glad you guys are alright there cutdog. Items can be replaced but lives cannot.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Actually, i'm doing ok. I already got a job here at a restaurant making "decent" money. I've already been in touch with my family, who are all in baton rouge for now all crammed into my brothers tiny apartment. My cell phone is now working, which is good. Up until about 4 days ago, pretty much the whole 504 area code wasnt working at all. I've already filed with FEMA and 2000$ was deposited into my account this morning(which will help a good bit). Even with as much as I lost, I now feel blessed. I'm just hoping that New Orleans can get that water out. Because my insurance company said they cant move forward with my claim until they can inspect my house, and they cant inspect it as long as its still underwater.

Good deal CutDog504. Glad to hear you already have things rolling. Do you plan to come back to New Orleans or do you think this might be a permanent move? My offer still stands... if you need anything, please let me know.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

I think this might be a permanant move. My wife is from here so she really just wants to stay here. I'd like to eventually move back, but only time will tell. Or maybe I'll see about the northshore. I cant even go look at my house for another month or two at best. And whose to say looters didnt get to it first, if there's anything worth looting now. I think I'm most pissed about everything in my garage, which includes my car and thousands of dollars in mechanics tools, installation tools, meters, probes, etc. Then the house will most likely have to be torn down. How do you think a house will fare after soaking in sewage laden floodwaters for 2 months? It will be a total loss, as will 80% of the homes in the city. The worst part of it is, I didnt have flood insurance on the structure, just the contents. I guess I'll try and deal with FEMA on that.

Unfortunately I'm hearing the same story from a lot of people. I hope everything turns out okay for all of you. Please keep us posted if you can.

I have power, but I've been without phones and internet access for the past couple of days. Services are still sporadic around here, but there is progress. St. Tammany is still under a curfew until further notice.

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posted_image the12volt • Support the12volt.com

I got word today about the condition of my house. A freind of mine was able to to get into the city because he was with his dad who is a fireman. He said the waterline on my house was about 3 feet deep. And there were many tree limbs down, none on the house though. Also, it appears that my house has no broken windows. A considerable sized oak tree limb caused a good bit of damage to my car, which was probly no good anyway because of the flood. Everyone I talked to who has seen the city said the same exact words, "it looks like a war zone".

CutDog504, it does look like a war zone and it sounds like one too. At this very moment there are two helicopters flying overhead scooping water out of a small ski lake close to my house to put out a fire nearby.

I'm glad to hear your home wasn't completely submerged and hopefully you will be able to save some of your possessions, but the mold is going to be a major issue when you or anyone else is allowed to return. Hopefully you'll be able to get someone in there before it completely takes over.

While my personal living situation is considerably better than it was for the first couple of weeks after this storm, it's still far from normal. Utilities are still out for many in the area and sporadic in others. The debris from fallen trees and damaged property that line the streets where residents and business owners have been allowed back in is drying out , stinks, and becoming a major fire and safety hazard. For hundreds of thousands it's worse and the nightmare continues. It's been 24 days since Katrina hit and FEMA finally made it to our parish yesterday. They seem to be doing very little for those that need help and have yet to get into the areas that are suffering the most. Southeast Louisiana remains under a curfew and some parishes are under another mandatory evacuation due to Hurricane Rita, currently a category 5 hurricane.

It will be a long time before this region is back to normal, but everyone here is determined to make it happen and we are doing everything we can to expedite it.

The 12 Volt News has a Katrina section up for people in our industry and the two local news sites below have links to live feeds.

New Orleans Local News Coverage - WDSU
New Orleans Local News Coverage - WWL

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Do you of any installer jobs avaible in the shreveport area?

Not personally, but check here. If I hear of anything, I will be sure to let you know.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Kudos on keeping the site up. My condolences to all those affected by the storm. I was there for three weeks with my unit, and I've never seen anything like it. Good luck with everything.

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"I'm Rick James bi***, enjoy yo' self Ah Ah Ah"
Dave Chappelle as Rick James

Thanks fugit.

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

rottenbellysfunk's Album:Hurricane Katrina Pictures,
Click on the link above to view the 89 pictures in this album. As the recipient, you can download, re-share and order prints and merchandise containing these pictures. Please do not use the owner's pictures in an unexpected way.

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rottenbellys 05 crew cab colorado.Pioneer dehp 880prs, kenwood excelon in all 4 doors. Bazooka 500 mono Jl 10w3 in coustom center console box.

S orry about double post. I work on the river tug boats and these are pictures off some of the things around new orleans.We pulled barges and ships off the bank for a month before i got to come home.

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rottenbellys 05 crew cab colorado.Pioneer dehp 880prs, kenwood excelon in all 4 doors. Bazooka 500 mono Jl 10w3 in coustom center console box.

I finally got to go back to New Orleans a few days ago to see my house. Its devastating, you just cant put it into words. There is just no way to describe how awful it is down there. Not just my own house, but the whole city. It really does look like a war zone. It looks like a bomb hit the city, and the city has been abandoned for many years. Every tree and plant is either dead or near dead. A gray sooty dusty film is covering everything, the ground, cars, builings, etc. As for my house, it only had about 2 1/2 feet of water in it, but the mold has taken over. Whatever wasnt damaged by the water is covered in thick black mold.

I just gotta say that a big thank you goes out to the admin of this site! Staying put to keep the servers going, I must say. That takes balls and dedication!

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Check all advice given with a meter

Hi overworked2, thanks, but I left the night before Katrina came through here immediately after backing up this site and had it up on a temporary server a few days later. Fortunately our server survived and we've been back on it for several weeks now.

CutDog504, yes, it is hard to describe. I lose my voice because of the mold every time I go to the South Shore. It's funny how excited we all get down here when any restaurant or store reopens, especially when a bar reopens. The gas stations still run out of gas over here about once a week. Just this past week, the parish began picking up the trees and debris in my neighborhood, but they say it may take up to 18 months before it's all collected. Yesterday, I was finally able to have someone look at my roof and hope to have it replaced by the end of this month. BTW, were you able to salvage anything from your house?

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the12volt • Support the12volt.com

Afew things yes. Pictures that were on the walls, dishes in the upper kitchen wall cabinets and I had some of my tools hanging on pegboard in the garage that didnt get wet. Other than those few things, everthing was ruined. Oh, and the tv in my bedroom I was able to save. Because it was high up sitting on top of my chest of drawers. And now my insurance company is trying to lowball me. They are trying to give me less than a third of what I was insured for!! They claim they dont cover mold damage, and they say all my contents are depreciated. I think I need to talk with a lawyer.