KPLC General Manager Blog

Shiny Happy People

We have seen the secret villain behind the economic crisis and it is....

...us.

Yeah, the truth hurts.  As no doubt have you, I've listened to all the pundits and read all the analyses and blogs and am dizzy from all the finger-pointing.  Most of it is the two political parties trying to shove each other under the wheels of the bus with snippets of video or quotes which conveniently support their position (and none which don't).

But here's one column that really resonated with me.  It's clear, reasoned, and written in plain English from an investor's perspective. 

Good investors don't get emotional.  They analyze circumstances and look for opportunities.  Emotion clouds judgement going forward.  It also clouds the rear-view mirror as you try and analyze how you got to where you are.  Check out Dylan Jovine's take on the crisis in "Seeking Alpha" and tell me you don't find yourself fogging your own mirror a little.  I certainly did.

BTW my fond regards to the late Walt Kelly for the cartoon.  Where is Pogo when you really need him???

PLAN B.  AND C.  AND SO ON.   The issue is how to free up credit.  There are a chorus of informed voices saying that a financial injection from Congress (translated: debt shifted to other countries which must be paid back with interest starting immediately, long before any of the real estate or other collateral held by the government could rise in value and be liquidated) is not necessary to do that.

The most intriguing is the controversial call to do away with accounting rules known as "mark to market" which effectively devalue assets held by financial institutions.  There are others.  Here's a great article in today's Washington Post that explains the options in plain English. 

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Note that the views expressed on this blog are mine alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Raycom Media or KPLC.  Please note that links frequently take the reader to third-party sites.  Raycom and KPLC are not responsible for content on these sites.   -Jim S.

Live Ike Chat at 130pm today on kplctv.com

We will reprise our live "Ike Chat" on the front page of kplctv.com this afternoon starting at 1:30 pm, immediately following special hour-and-a-half coverage on KPLC starting at noon.  We'll do the chat for an hour, from 1:30 to 2:30pm.

I'll administrate the live chat with the help of several others in the KPLC 7 Newsroom.  Submit your questions and observations...I'll respond to as many as I can.  Then we'll leave the chat up for the rest of the day so you can review it at your leisure.

Thanks to all our KPLC staffers and the great crews who have come in from Raycom Media's sister stations in Savannah, Cape Girardeau, Biloxi and Baton Rouge to help us with our Hurricane Ike on-air and online coverage!

Extensive flooding grips SWLA

Crews making their way through Lake Charles and outlying portions of Southwest Louisiana are reporting much the same thing in the city and points south and west:  extensive flooding as Ike's massive surge and added rains have caused local waterways to overflow their banks. 

Gravity drainage depends on water flowing back to these waterways, so there's nowhere for the water to go right now.  High tide has pushed the water even further, turning low-lying streets, lawns and some buildings into extra lakes for the "Lake Area."

The water is not expected to begin subsiding until tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, with the lowering of water levels expected to accelerate Sunday night as water begins flowing back to the Gulf.

For hundreds of additional pictures & videos of Hurricane Ike's impact on Southwest Louisiana and elsewhere (including some pics snapped by evacuees), check out the KPLC ViewerNet page.

Galveston: "We can't help you."

THIS JUST IN:  SOMETIMES GOD PROTECTS IDIOTS AND DRUNKS.

20,000 GALVESTONIANS HIT JACKPOT.  IKE VEERED EAST TO MAKE LANDFALL JUST EAST OF THE ISLAND, PUTTING THE MAJORITY OF THE NON-EVACUATED ISLAND POPULATION ON THE "CLEAN" SIDE OF THE EYE.  THIS REDUCED THE PROJECTED SURGE HEIGHT BY HALF, SPARING BOTH LIVES AND CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO MUCH OF THE ISLAND'S OCEANFRONT BUSINESSES AND NOTEWORTHY INLAND ARCHITECTURE.

SATURDAY UPDATE:  CLICK HERE for live streaming coverage of Galveston & Houston Ike aftermath from our sister NBC affiliate KPRC.

(ORIGINAL POST) 20,000 residents of Houston's flat old barrier island city are in peril this morning.  They were told to evacuate and inexplicably did not.  Now as Hurricane Ike slams ashore with a tsunami-like wall of water, they are screaming in the darkness for help, but there is no one on Earth who can help them.

If you pray, pray for them.

Many of you have followed (as have I) the Houston Chronicle's Sci Guy blog over the last week.  Eric Berger, a fellow University of Missouri School of Journalism grad, has earned his stripes as a calm and reasoned voice for watchers of the tropics in Houston and beyond during Ike's approach.

In his post tonight, he describes in succinct and grave terms what is happening just to our west.  The same forces which are devastating lower Cameron Parish (where people have the sense to get out when storms such as Ike approach) are ripping into this venerable old city and its remaining residents with 110 mph winds in addition to the deadly storm surge.

As I said, if you pray, pray for the people who are the subject of "It's Getting Grim in Galveston."  As each of us faces the wrath of one of nature's most unforgiving forces, our neighbors to the west who made the mistake of riding Ike out on Galveston Island are clearly the most vulnerable right now.

-Jim

Shelters of Last Resort Open in LC & Sulphur

Temporary shelters of last resort have been opened in Sulphur and Lake Charles.

The City of Lake Charles has opened a shelter at the Pryce/Miller Recreation Center at 216 Albert Street.

In Sulphur, the 9^th Grade School at 600 Willow Street will be opened as needed.

Evacuees going to the temporary shelter should bring medicine, bedding and any other personal items they may need.

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Refugios temporales de último recurso, se han abierto en azufre y Lake Charles.

La ciudad de Lake Charles ha abierto un refugio en la Pryce / Miller Centro de Recreación a 216 Albert Street.

En azufre, el 9 º grado en la Escuela 600 Willow Street se abrirán según sea necesario.

Los evacuados de ir al refugio temporal deben traer la medicina, ropa de cama y cualquier otros artículos personales que puedan necesitar.

SWLA Hurricane Advisories (in English & en espanol)

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for all coastal portions of the KPLC viewing area.  Also a Tropical Storm Wind Warning has been issued for all inland areas has been issued.

Un huracán de alerta ha sido emitida para todas las porciones costeras de la KPLC área de visualización. Asimismo, una tormenta tropical Advertencia Viento se ha emitido para todas las zonas del interior se ha publicado.

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Cameron Parish remains under a mandatory evacuation order.

Cameron Parish instó a los funcionarios una evacuación obligatoria el miércoles de porciones costeras de la parroquia en la preparación para el huracán Ike.

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Released this morning (Thursday) by Calcasieu Parish government officials:

Based on information currently available concerning Hurricane Ike as of 5 am Thursday, September 11, 2008, the Calcasieu Parish Executive Policy Group has issued the following evacuation advisories at this time:

Mandatory Evacuation:    For residents who reside in travel trailers, mobile homes, and low-lying areas due to the potential for high water,  storm surge, and wind.  The potential for flooding due to storm surge or high water in Calcasieu Parish is similar to that caused by Hurricane Rita. If your home or property was affected by that storm surge you can expect similar flooding damage.  This mandatory evacuation also includes special needs residents throughout the parish who are home-bound, requiring electricity for their well-being.

For all other residents of Calcasieu Parish, we strongly recommend that you carefully consider the forecast and the projected intensity of the storm and determine whether or not you can safely stay in your home without power for an extended period of time.  If you have any questions or concerns about your safety, you should make immediate plans to leave the area.

This is a very serious situation.  The National Weather Service advises that we can anticipate tropical storm force winds beginning during the day Friday and wind gusts near or above Category 1 hurricane strength late Friday night into Saturday morning.

Local officials urge all residents who choose to stay in the area to be properly prepared and provisioned for potential power outages and loss of services.

If you desire to leave, but do not have transportation, buses are available at the Civic Center for the transport of individuals to a shelter location in Caddo Parish (Shreveport/Bossier City).  We have arranged that all residents who choose to evacuate will be transported to one centralized location in North Louisiana.  The Sheriff has agreed to provide personnel for security purposes at the shelter.  The Civic Center cannot be used as a shelter at this time.

Residents with special medical needs that are dependent on electrical power for their care and comfort are advised to make immediate arrangements for their care and safety. If you need transportation out of the area and a place to stay, please call 721-4020 to arrange for transportation to the Civic Center for coach bus transportation. The phone lines will open at 8:00 am.  Coach bus transportation will also be available for residents who can be privately transported to the Civic Center.  Transportation will begin at 8 am, this morning.

Now is the time to prepare and implement your hurricane preparedness plan. Anyone who chooses to stay in the Southwest Louisiana area should have enough fuel, food, water and medication for up to five days. Citizens should be self sustainable with food, water and medical supplies for at least 5 days. Citizens should be prepared for the possibility of power outages that could last for an undetermined time length of time.

Should you decide to leave the area voluntarily, please travel in a northerly direction as you will almost certainly encounter significant traffic congestion should you attempt to travel east or west on I-10. The evacuation routes from Calcasieu Parish are on Hwy. 171, Hwy. 165 North, or Hwy 27.

A Parish-wide curfew will be in effect from 8p.m. until 6a.m. until further notice.

Calcasieu Parish Police Jury

Department of Public Works

Sand & Sand Bag Information


For EMERGENCY USE ONLY Sand & Sand Bags

are available to the residents of Calcasieu Parish 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only at the threat of severe weather warnings


Guidelines for Sand/Sand Bag Distribution


    *

      The public must furnish their own shovel.
    *

      Sand and Bags will be available only at the threat of severe weather warnings, at the following locations.


Public Works Office
That Maintains

Supplies
   




East
   

Ward 1 Barn
   

461 Parish Road, Moss Bluff, LA
East
   

Ward 2 Barn
   

7085 Hwy 14 East, Hayes, LA

East
   

Ward 3 Old Barn
   

2320 Smith Road, Lake Charles, LA

East
   

Ward 3 PW Facility
   

5500 B Swift Plant Road, Lake Charles, LA

West
   

Ward 4 PW Facility
   

2915 Post Oak Road, Sulphur, LA

West
   

Ward 5 Barn
   

129 3rd Street, Starks, LA

West
   

Ward 6 Barn
   

1275 Plum Street, DeQuincy, LA

West
   

Ward 7 Barn
   

1129 Eddy Street, Vinton, LA

West
   

Ward 7 Fire Station
   

2205 Hwy 388, Vinton (Edgerly), LA

East
   

Ward 8 Barn
   

1726 Parish Barn Road, Iowa, LA

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Liberado de esta mañana (jueves) de Calcasieu Parish funcionarios del gobierno:

Basado en información disponible actualmente en relación con el huracán como Ike, de 5 de la mañana jueves, 11 de septiembre de 2008, la Calcasieu Parish Grupo de Política del Ejecutivo ha emitido los siguientes avisos de evacuación en este momento:

Evacuación obligatoria: Para los residentes que residen en los viajes remolques, casas móviles, y las zonas bajas debido al alto potencial de agua, mareas de tempestad, y el viento. El potencial de inundaciones debidas a mareas de tempestad o de agua en alta Calcasieu Parish es similar a la causada por el huracán Rita. Si su casa o propiedad se vio afectada por la marejada que se puede esperar inundaciones similares daños. Esta evacuación obligatoria incluye también las necesidades especiales de los residentes en toda la parroquia que están obligados a domicilio, lo que requiere electricidad para su bienestar.

Para todos los demás residentes de Calcasieu Parish, le recomendamos que examine cuidadosamente las previsiones y las proyecciones de la intensidad de la tormenta y determinar si procede o no puedes permanecer en su casa sin poder por un largo periodo de tiempo. Si tiene alguna pregunta o preocupaciones sobre su seguridad, usted debe hacer planes inmediatos para abandonar la zona.

Esta es una situación muy grave. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional informa de que podemos anticipar la tormenta tropical vientos comienzo durante el día viernes y ráfagas de viento cerca o por encima de la categoría 1 de huracanes fuerza fines de viernes por la noche en sábado por la mañana.

Los funcionarios locales instamos a todos los residentes que optan por permanecer en la zona para estar debidamente preparado y previsto para los posibles cortes de energía y la pérdida de servicios.

  Si quieres dejar, pero no tienen transporte, los autobuses están disponibles en el Centro Cívico para el transporte de personas a un refugio situado en Caddo Parish (Shreveport / Bossier City). Hemos organizado que todos los residentes que elegir a evacuar serán transportados a una ubicación centralizada en el norte de Louisiana. El Sheriff se ha comprometido a proporcionar personal con fines de seguridad en la vivienda. El Centro Cívico no puede ser utilizada como un refugio en este momento.

  Los residentes con necesidades médicas especiales que dependen de la energía eléctrica para su atención y comodidad que se pongan en inmediata hacer los arreglos para su cuidado y seguridad. Si necesita transporte fuera de la zona y un lugar para permanecer, por favor llame al 721-4020 para organizar el transporte para el Centro Cívico de autobuses para el transporte en autocar. Las líneas telefónicas se abrirá a las 8:00 am. Coach de autobuses de transporte también estará disponible para los residentes que pueden ser transportados privada para el Centro Cívico. Transporte comenzará a las 8 horas, esta mañana.

Ahora es el momento de preparar y aplicar su plan de preparación para huracanes. Cualquier persona que opta por permanecer en la zona suroeste de Luisiana debe tener suficiente combustible, alimentos, agua y medicamentos para un máximo de cinco días. Los ciudadanos deben ser auto sostenible con alimentos, agua y suministros médicos para por lo menos 5 días. Los ciudadanos deben estar preparados para la posibilidad de cortes de energía que puede durar por un tiempo indeterminado período de tiempo.

Si usted decide abandonar la zona voluntariamente, por favor, viajar en dirección norte, como es seguro que vas a encontrar importante congestión del tráfico en caso de que intento de viajar al este o al oeste por la I-10. Las rutas de evacuación de Calcasieu Parish están en Hwy. 171, Hwy. 165 Norte, o Hwy 27.

Una parroquia a escala toque de queda será a partir del 8 p.m. hasta 6 a.m. hasta nuevo aviso.

Calcasieu Parish policía jurado

Departamento de Obras Públicas

La arena y bolsa de arena información


Para uso de emergencia sólo arena y sacos de arena

están disponibles para los residentes de Calcasieu Parish las 24 horas del día, 7 días a la semana, sólo por la amenaza de advertencias meteorológicas


Directrices para la arena / arena bolsa de distribución


     *

       El público debe aportar su propia pala.
     *

       Sacos de arena y estará disponible sólo en la amenaza de advertencias meteorológicas, en los siguientes lugares.


Oficina de Obras Públicas
Que mantiene

Suministros



Ward 1 Barn


461 Parish Road, Moss Bluff, LA
Oriente


Ward 2 Barn


7085 Hwy 14 East, Hayes, Luisiana

Oriente


Ward 3 antiguo granero


2320 Smith Road, Lake Charles, Luisiana

Oriente


Ward 3 PW instalación


5500 B planta de Swift Road, Lake Charles, Luisiana

Oeste


Ward 4 PW instalación


2915 Post Oak Road, Sulphur, Luisiana

Oeste


Ward 5 Barn


3 ª Calle 129, Starks, Luisiana

Oeste


Ward 6 Barn


1275 Plum Street, DeQuincy, Luisiana

Oeste


Ward 7 Barn


1129 Eddy Street, Vinton, Luisiana

Oeste


Ward 7 Estación de Bomberos


2205 Hwy 388, Vinton (Edgerly), LA

Oriente


Ward 8 Barn


1726 Parish Barn Road, Iowa, Luisiana

                     

Ike heads northwest

I'd say dust off your personal hurricane response plan, but those plans haven't had anywhere near enough time to get dusty.  In fact, they've gotten a pretty good workout this year.

There's some grumbling and second-guessing about Gustav, FEMA, evacuations, etc.  That's to be expected, and there' s lots of time to debate it later.

But please, everyone...let's focus right now on the flying grizzly bear that's about to be on our doorstep.  His name is Ike. 

Now is not the time to second-guess a public response plan which successfully saved hundreds if not thousands of lives in our region during the onslaught of Hurricane Rita, and can do the same if Ike lands here.

It's tempting to think of hurricanes as pulls on a slot machine; that accumulated strikes in our region including a fairly recent one (2005) right up our airpipe mean we won't get another hit anytime soon, or that historical data says that a hurricane coming from this direction this time of year is unlikely to land in a particular place. 

But that's not how it works.  Tropical systems are a zero-sum game.  They have no "memory," no institutional or historical knowledge, no matter how many of them come our way.   Each one is an independent agent, acting according to a set of forces which are still not completely predictable.  (OK, that's not how individual slot machines work either, but the assumption by so many players that they do is what keeps casinos in business.)

Forecasters do a good job of telling us what the likely scenarios are at any given point in a storm's trajectory, but they still cannot tell us as a storm moves into or through the Gulf exactly where it will land, its exact intensity on final approach, or the size of its windfield.

Don't forget Hurricane Lily.  Just 50 or so miles due south of Lake Charles, she took a right turn and whacked Lafayette as a Cat 2.  So even if you see Ike head west toward Texas, don't let your guard down for a second; our OEP officials certainly won't.  Gulf storms are famous for those last-minute right turns. Just because we had a near miss on Gustav does not mean it's responsible for officials not to respond according to plan.  It certainly doesn't make it any more responsible for residents of our area to ignore called evacuations.

Whatever happens, I can promise you this:  KPLC will be with you every step of the way, as we always have been.  We're already into "Defcon 4" planning for Ike, though we hope the latter stages of our response plan won't be needed.  You can get full emergency information on KPLC, on kplctv.com, on 7 On Your Cell, and if/when Ike gets much closer, on KPLC WeatherPlus and on our network of partner radio stations (KZWA Vibe 105 FM, and on the cluster of great Gap Radio Group stations in SWLA.

Borrowing a phrase I used to close out tonight's Hot Button on the subject, it's wise to pray for the best (that includes everyone in the hurricane's path) but plan for the worst.

Me?  I'm hoping Ike loses interest and fizzles out in the Gulf.  But that's not likely to happen.  Mid-October can't come soon enough to suit me.

Evacuations, curfew lifted (in English and en espanol)

The mandatory evacuation order for Calcasieu & Cameron Parishes has been lifted today, Tuesday, September 2nd.  Parish officials are urging residents to exercise caution during re-entry, as many areas of Louisiana are still experiencing bad weather conditions, have extremely limited services such as gasoline and food, and some roads are closed.  Residents are encouraged to use I-49 and I-10 for their travel. 

The Parish-wide curfew has been lifted.

Calcasieu Parish School Superintendant Wayne Savoy has announced that Parish schools will be closed on Thursday, September 4.  A decision will be made on Wednesday by School officials regarding classes on Friday September 5th.   

Officials with Calcasieu Parish ask that residents register on the CalcaShout Emergency Alert System for important emergency information updates.  Registration is free and can be accessed at www.calcashout.com.

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury website www.cppj.net will be the official outlet for Calcasieu Parish information during the event.  Residents may also use www.calcasieustorm.com for the same information.

All Calcasieu Parish Police Jury employees are required to report to work on Thursday, September 4th.  Tuesday September 2nd, and Wednesday September 3rd, are hurricane holidays and employees will be paid their regular pay for those days.

Waste Management will resume normal trash pickup on Calcasieu Parish unincorporated area routes Thursday.  They will not catch up Monday thru Wednesday routes. 

Entergy reports 4600 customers without power in Calcasieu Parish.  Beauregard Electric reports 8800 customers in Calcasieu Parish lost power during the storm, but many have already had electricity restored.   

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La orden de evacuación obligatoria para Calcasieu & Cameron Parishes se ha levantado eficaz a las  2 de Septiembre. Parroquia de los funcionarios se instaba a los residentes a tener cuidado durante su reentrada, ya que muchas zonas de Luisiana aún están sufriendo las malas condiciones meteorológicas, tienen muy limitado de los servicios tales como la gasolina y los alimentos, y algunas carreteras están cerradas. Los residentes se les anima a usar I-49 y I-10 para su viaje.

La Parroquia de ámbito toque de queda ha sido levantado.

Calcasieu Parish School Superintendente Wayne Saboya ha anunciado que la escuela parroquial se cerrará el jueves, 4 de septiembre. Una decisión será tomada el miércoles por oficiales escolares con respecto a las clases el viernes 5 de Septiembre.

Los funcionarios con Calcasieu Parish pedir que los residentes en el registro CalcaShout Sistema de Alerta de Emergencia para importantes actualizaciones de información de emergencia. La inscripción es gratuita y se puede acceder a www.calcashout.com.

Calcasieu Parish La Policía www.cppj.net sitio web del Jurado será la salida oficial de Calcasieu Parish información durante el evento. Los residentes pueden utilizar también para www.calcasieustorm.com la misma información.

Todos los Calcasieu Parish Policía Jurado trabajadores están obligadas a comunicar a trabajar el jueves, 4 de Septiembre. Martes 2 de Septiembre, y el miércoles 3 de septiembre de huracanes son las vacaciones y los empleados se pagarán su paga regular para esos días.

Gestión de Residuos normal se reanudará la recolección de basura en Calcasieu Parish área no incorporada rutas jueves. Ellos no van a ponerse al día de lunes a Miércoles rutas.

Entergy informes de 4600 los clientes sin poder en Calcasieu Parish. Beauregard Electric informes de 8800 clientes en Calcasieu Parish perdió el poder durante la tormenta, pero muchos ya han restablecido la electricidad.