The river's up into the woods near the edge of the yard - very gentle slope down to the usual course, about 75 yards away. StaRV II's pad is underwater to the front (8" maybe). I don't think it's going to rise more than another 6", so it won't cover the driveway low spots. Moved the truck and the car up to the higher ground anyway - don't need to tear up a soggy limerock driveway in case it does get topped.

Prayers that you will remain safe and dry.

Thanks, MR! The river would have to rise several more feet to threaten the house; it's just that my driveway makes a "U" through the woods where it's low. Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne ran on by in '04 and got the water up to the sidewalk (still about a foot below the house). Somewhat inconvenient, but not a problem.

With those hurricanes, the issue was loss of power - I had a generator with ample fuel, but I loaned StaRV I to make the rounds of neighbors who had no emergency generator - kept the reefers cold. Kind of pissed me off that I ended up about 20 gallons gaso short when StaRV I was returned. StaRV II isn't going to help if power is an issue...neighbors have had plenty of warnings.

Anyway, the current rising water will probably crest later tonight, then start receding tomorrow.

The river's already begun retreating; the RV pad, which is at the edge of the woods, should be habitable by the weekend.

Hopefully, the remnants of Fay will lessen the drought up in GA, TN, and the Carolinas. FL panhandle is already on the plus side for rainfall this year, after having been down aboout 10".

With 5 members in the cross-hairs and a couple more not too far from the coast, we hope you are either prepared for Gustav or long gone. We'll feel it for a couple days but we'll be OK.

The last hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, saw 250,000 people come to Houston but in their wisdom the Fed's and States have said those evacuating should not come to Houston because it lies in a potential path. Now let's see: we opened the Astrodome, rented 18,000 apartments with tax funds for our "guests" (that was the official reference), opened new schools, immediately passed our credit cards, gave away furniture, food, comprehensive medical care, and found most people families, churches, shelters and jobs. Whoever thought up the idea of not coming needs to look at KHOU.com and see the line on IH-10 entering Texas. The community service clubs are mobilizing to feed and shelter these same folks and once it dawns on the bureaucrats that we are having company for dinner, we will repeat the whole episode over again. We are pretty good at it and we won't turn anyone away, unlike some other cities last time. So if you have to evacuate, or were on a trip and are now in the region dont' be shy, get in touch with other Barth Members here or along the way. We have places for you and your rig and we hope not be joining the line if Gustav turns west. Oh, yes, remember Rita? It caused Houston to try to evacuate - but that didn't work so now only the most easterly and southern areas south of IH-10 would be evacuated. Beaumont and Orange County have been ordered to evacuate so far, and that impacts one member from Beaumont. Hanna is on a track that could bring a second hurricane to the region about three to four days after Gustav.

I have room in the upper part of my driveway for 5-6 coaches - electricity would have to come 300', so for battery charging only.

I'm in the midst of alterations on the house, so it's a mess, but there's room here for several.

My place is about 75 minutes SE of the junction of I-10 and I-75, 20 miles north of Gainesville, FL.

On another forum, I have plenty of friends in the S. LA area. Amazingly (euphemism for "Incredibly Stupidly"), many intend to "ride out" Gustav - including some in the greater New Orleans area, not far from Lake Ponchartrain, whose homes are at 8-10' elevation...I wonder what it takes to make folks realize that Mother Nature is not to be trifled with. I've been in 165 mph winds. I won't again...

have room here in tenn. 1 30 amp service and we can run out extensions cords,,,,4 others

Ditto, here in Georgia. I have ten acres with about 3 in pasture. Plenty of room. Can supply 30 and 50 amp from the shop to a couple. Water available. Rest Area on the interstate 2 miles from the house has a dump station.

Nick

On that other forum, all those friends who were going to "Ride 'er out" have come to their senses, and are leaving Kenner, NO, Houma, Mandeville and other places.

Another friend, of Gulfport PD, said as of 0200 this morning, eastbound I-10 was 15 mph - and stopped much of the time. I guess MS didn't institute contraflow (opening westbound lanes to eastbound traffic). Anyway, he has to stay there, but the police station is on high ground and fortified, so he'll be OK.

Helen and I cut our vacation short and drove from The Blue Ridge Parkway just North of Roanoke, VA to Jackson, MS yesterday (Sunday)to be 3 1/2 hours out. We plan to leave here in the morning to get to the shop for repairs. We at least have some doors that have blown in. Other than that we were unscathed.

Best of luck, Billy. weather.com's Interstate map looks semi-decent for tomorrow. Have a safe trip, and I hope you find no unpleasant surprises.