Rita Approaches

We wake up to the news that this stupid storm keeps tracking our way. I've decided I'm heading back, but haven't broken the news to Erin yet.

I spent my morning computer session ordering a satellite phone since I doubt there will be any communications in place after this thing hits. The supplier says they can put it on a Delta flight and have it here tonight.

Erin, her mom, and the boys are leaving for Memphis; Peter and I say that we are going to stick around and leave her after the storm. After we say our goodbyes, we head into town in search of a generator, fuel containers, and construction materials. Monroe is sold out of nearly everything. We are able to buy four 5 gallon gas containers; no luck on generators. We cool our heels all day waiting on the 8:35 flight into Monroe.

After filling up we head to the airport, which is a joke. There are only a handfull of people in the entire building and no one knows anything about our package. After waiting over an hour to speak to a human being we discover the phone never left Atlanta. We could have left hours before.

Heading home, I hear from Julie Wilkerson who is watching TV and giving us updates. I'm having doubts that we will make it home before the storm hits. KPLC is broadcasting live from St. Patrick's Hospital in Lake Charles and things are starting to get pretty hairy there. Julie promised to take down the information about the phone so that if we lost contact she could find a way to get it to me later.

Coming into Alexandria the winds and rain are picking up and the streets are deserted. We are exploring options; Julie offered us a place to stay, but we are going to try to get closer. Tree limbs are starting to scatter across Highway 165.