In Gustav’s Wake
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TUESDAY MORNING: AFTER THE STORM
It may be days before officials know the full extent of the damage. But initial site surveys in the wake of Hurricane Gustav suggest it was no Katrina.
Here in Lafayette, LA, there are spotty power outages and some fallen trees. A huge live oak that fell on a house has become the backdrop for our live shots today as we deliver reports for local FOX stations around the country.
Our schedule is almost as busy as yesterday, but considerably easier given that we’re not working in heavy winds and driving rain. To see what that was like, click on the video.
doneMONDAY MORNING: BRACING FOR THE STORM
Roughly 2 million people have evacuated the Louisiana coast. Further inland, residents are hunkering down in their homes or other shelters.
Here in Fayetteville, First Baptist Church has opened its doors to approximately 2 dozen residents who fled their mobile homes, fearing the high winds of the approaching storm.
We are also using the Church property as a shelter of sorts… for our satellite truck. We’re hoping buildings on three sides will shield the satellite dish from the winds and allow us to report live, even while the storm is making landfall.
We have a busy schedule planned. In addition to reporting for FOX New Channel, we are also slated to deliver live reports to local FOX stations around the country almost every five minutes throughout, what promises to be, an eventful morning.
SUNDAY EVENING: LOOKING SOUTH
Shortly after arriving in Lafayette, LA, we went to one of the few supermarkets that were still open. The place was busy.
The bread aisle was almost empty. But the store seemed well-stocked with almost everything else.
We loaded up with supplies to carry us through the week, knowing it’s more likely than not that we’ll lose power tomorrow and, possibly, fresh running water.
Our biggest technical challenge will be shielding our satellite truck from the potential hurricane force winds and staying on the air as the worst of the storm bears down on the Louisiana coast. (Click on the video to watch our initial “site survey”).
doneOur shift tomorrow begins at 2:30 AM, as we prepare reports for local FOX stations across the country. So, I’m going to attempt to go to sleep early.
Looking out my hotel window, I can see clear skies to the north and ominous storm clouds to the south. I know which to expect in the morning.
SUNDAY MORNING: HEADING WEST
I’m blogging from I-10. In the New Orleans area, authorities have reversed all inbound lanes to accommodate the thousands of residents and visitors who are heeding the mandatory evacuation notices. (Click on the video to see the evacuation in progress).
doneWe saw heavy traffic heading out of the city as we flew into New Orleans yesterday evening. Driving into the downtown area, we saw police and national guardsmen stationed at major intersections.
Many businesses had already boarded up and closed. But some restaurants in the French Quarter were still open.
At a seafood restaurant off Bourbon Street, employees and customers watched the TVs intently as city and state officials warned residents of the dangers of the approaching storm.
The hotel we stayed at last night is one of a few planning to stay open during the storm. The majority of our FOX News hurricane coverage staff (and this is a sizeable group) will remain in New Orleans.
However, FOX is sending smaller crews to some of the outlying areas the storm path is likely to cross should it follow some of the computer models that show a possible landfall west of New Orleans.
I am among one of those crews. Our current destination: Lafayette, LA. But as with the storm, our plans are always subject to change at any second.
Jonathan Serrie is an Atlanta-based correspondent for FNC. He was
stationed in Macedonia during Operation Allied Force and in Uzbekistan
during Operation Enduring Freedom. 
This brings back memories, we took 5 crews to NOLA after Katrina and we’re planning to return to help out after Gustav as soon as we’re allowed to enter the city. We’re praying the for the best for NOLA and the rest of the Gulf coast region that will be effected by the storm.
Expert Tree Care & Service
How many people are being transported to Austin to be housed in the wake of the storm? Many are coming to the Fort Worth/Dallas area and I hear some are going to Oklahoma, City. Just how many is our Governor taking care of in his city?
June Baker
the video you are showing right now on Fox clearly demonstrates they are not using counterflow ….closing incoming lanes is to use them for outgoing! Looks like those lanes are empty and bottleneck is happening…hope I am wrong
Hurricane Gustav is a visual nightmare for Obama and the Democrats. CNN’s interview with a very young woman, newborn in arms, gathering with her pregant sister, cousins, and “baby’s daddy”, waiting on a federal bus to pick them up is not a very encouraging image of self reliance. And CNN is concerned because the bar coding system is not working that will track evacuees so they can receive their federal benefits. Makes me think twice about the new tax increases on capital gains and inheritance. Another resident was literally yelling at the reporter because she and her pregnant relative were having to wait in line for a bus, which is being provided for free, to take her to the airport so she can be flown, for free, to a shelter, where she will be housed, for free, until she can return to her public housing.
Here in Florida, we evacuate ourselves, stock our own food and water and pay outrageous homeowners insurance, with a hurricane premium, to insure our own houses. New Orleans better have a reality check and show a little gratitude for all they have received from the rest of us.
I would be interested in hearing from readers outside of the gulf region because I am getting weary of 24 hour hurricane watch. You guys have exhausted any pertinent news and then beat it to death. CNN is doing the very same thing. I just watched your most recent report that the Republican convention may only be partially covered so that you could give equal attention to Gustav. This seems totally out of touch with our nation’s priorities and prove, as many have said, that news networks love the negative drama and will sacrifice positive news to cover it. I am sure that there will be a measure of disappointment should there not be a major catastrophy. Cover the hurricane but not 24 hours, every minute…it is getting tedious and I love Fox News. Having said that, my heart goes out to the residents in the areas affecte by Gustav.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY MAY GOD BE WITH THE FAMILIES AND THE BRAVE THAT HELP THEM. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Where are Pelosi and her vacationing Dems? They should be out on the roadways shuttling $4.oo gas to evacuees. Not the libs.They are on VACATION.
Well put Carolyn as you and I sit in the comforts of our own home. Many Floridians take care of what needs to be done on their own. Why all the charity?? Maybe because a lot of people in Florida CAN afford it and many in Bayou State cannot? It makes you wonder doesn’t it. I know one thing, I bet the lady and her pregnant relative would rather have had the control in their hands get out on their own without hassle. Who would really wait in line after line and be shuffled around like cattle if they could afford the means to avoid the headache and get out on their own? You keep pointing the finger at people who need assistance. Self reliance starts often with being reliant on others first. As for public housing I can guarantee it isn’t glamorous and you probably wouldn’t last a day there. My thought is these people cannot afford many things in life let alone home ownership, stocked shelves and their own SUV to take them out of harms way. Quit looking for a pat on the back for helping those less fortunate. I think you need a reality check and maybe some community service so you can really see what life is like for those less fortunate.
I am glad that everyone is taking all the necessary steps to be better prepared for Gustav, then we were 3 years ago.
I also am looking forward to all the awesome videos you have in store for us.
Well put Carolyn as you and I sit in the comforts of our own home. Many Floridians take care of what needs to be done on their own. Why all the charity?? Maybe because a lot of people in Florida CAN afford it and many in New Orleans area cannot? It makes you wonder doesn’t it. I know one thing, I bet the lady and her pregnant relative would rather have had the control in their hands get out on their own without hassle. Who would really wait in line after line and be shuffled around like cattle if they could afford the means to avoid the headache and get out on their own? You keep pointing the finger at people who need assistance. Self reliance starts often with being reliant on others first. As for public housing I can guarantee it isn’t glamorous and you probably wouldn’t last a day there. My thought is these people cannot afford many things in life let alone home ownership, stocked shelves and their own SUV to take them out of harms way. Quit looking for a pat on the back for helping those less fortunate. I think you need a reality check and maybe some community service so you can really see what life is like for those less fortunate.
thank you carolyn m. thats what i’m saying
My thanks to FoxNews for the continuing coverage of Hurricane Gustav. Wanted to add that today in Memphis, TN, along I-40, my husband and I witnessed a steady stream of loaded-down vehicles with Louisiana license plates. My heart went out to all of them. When we got home, we found a number of Louisiana residents taking refuge with their relatives who live here on our street. Tomorrow, I will call our local Red Cross to find out what I can do to help. When Katrina hit three years ago, I sat here in shock, and all I could think to do was to send a check. This time, I hope to be able to do more. Seems that Katrina taught many of us a lesson. My prayers go out to all of those in harm’s way.
I haven’t seen any journalists ask about the pets. During Katrina, the forced evacuations refused to allow transporation for the pets. Since people were not allowed to return to their homes for a month after the storm — hundreds of pets (dogs, cats, etc.) died of starvation and disease.
When the New Orleans mayor and govenor revealed the “new” evacuation plan six-months after Katrina, it did not include any plan to deal with the pets. Many residents were – understandably – upset and said it show that problems always occur when city officials neglect to bring in the citizens in the planning process.
May elderly and poor residence refused to evacuate during Katrina because they did not want to abandon their pets. I have heard that some folks are refusing to evacuate for Gustav.
PLEASE report on what consideration for pets has been incorporated – if any – in the latest multi-million dollar evacuation plan.
In addition, do a follow-up investigation after the hurricane to see if hundreds of pets were stranded.
HEY THERE FOX NEWS!!!!!!! We are avid Fox News Watchers and Radio Llisteners…In Lafayette, LA…….We are staying put and riding out the hurricane……..If any of the crew….Shep, how come you are in New Orleans??????? if you all need a REAL Neighborhood to set up at, please contact us!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You, Kelly and David Herpin, 337-216-0556, it is 6:58 PM and we just had some thunder and a rain shower.
Carolyn…..Been thinking many of the same thoughts myself. We were down to the Gulf Coast this summer. LA was still a mess…garbage still all over. MS and AL cleaned up and working at rebuilding. Couldn’t help but wonder that the gov’t has done so much that some can’t even get themselves out of harms way by themselves. In the end, aren’t we all responsible for ourselves.
Toni
Idaho
Please bring your reporters out of the dangers approaching in New Orleans!! We can wait until the storm is over to learn about the damages. Anyway, who’s going to stay up all night to watch?
P.S. I love Fox News!! I watch for hours every day.
My stepson is stuck on a crew boat in the gulf he isnt able to go out because the drawbridges are unmanned. They were advised that the drawbrides were closed. So now he has to ride out the Storm on a crewboat.
Please pray for his safety.
Jonathan, I began watching Fox News several years ago after seeing your face while channel surfing. I remembered you fondly from your days at WYFF 4 in Greenville SC and decided any network that had the good sense to hire you must be worth watching. I remember seeing you out on icy roads at 5:00 am and looking miserable. I was praying for you then and I am now. Please stay safe and I will be watching for your reports like I always do.
We were wondering, were the Aquarium and Zoo evacuated?
You’re looking on TV….love your reports! Thanks for leaving the safety of your home to “do your part”! Take Care of yourself and be safe!
i watch the news with great interest, what i dislike is what seems to me to be alot of drama that is added to the news for no good reason. in my opinion this drama creates fear and anxiety in people. the drama is so obvious and i am sure it is created to keep people watching and on the edge of their seats, but at what cost. trace galagher is the drama king and martha is the drama queen. please lighten up on the drama. i know these events are important and create their own drama just because of what is going on in a particular story. trace was talking about the levee’s, and what if the storm would have did this or if this levee would have breached. the fact is they held thank God. the engineers will learn much and make the needed changes or improvements. ligten up on the drama.
why do we not hear about the government responce was the same now as in katrina? but the main thing is that many of the gov. are now stepping up to the plate and get things done? I still remember the picture I saw of all those busses that sat under water,that was not bushes fault ,or the mayor of N O setting up shelter in the superdome and not elsewhere?
Let me mention that the seven lives that were lost in this horrific storm, they are in my thoughts and Prayers. God Bless them and their families.