Any Billy updates?

[Peaches]

I think he was getting off work early this AM - anyone heard from him?

[Winetalk.com]

his ICQ is dead, probably from power failure,
and there are 2 holes in Superdome roof

[Winetalk.com]

Levee broke at French quarters, no power, no telephone lines working

[TheEnforcer]

Luckily the storm weakened a tad bit before hitting landfall going from category 5 to category 4 according to the Washington post. Still doing quite a bit of damage though. I'm sure Billy got out of the way and is fine!

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by TheEnforcer

Luckily the storm weakened a tad bit before hitting landfall going from category 5 to category 4 according to the Washington post. Still doing quite a bit of damage though. I'm sure Billy got out of the way and is fine!

The difference between a category 4 and category 5 is almost nothing, if you get hit by the center of the hurricane. I think what will help is if you are not in the direct path of the hurricane - not the difference between category 4 or 5.

Category 4 Hurricane:

Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km). Hurricane Charley of 2004 was a Category Four hurricane made landfall in Charlotte County, Florida with winds of 150 mph. Hurricane Dennis of 2005 struck the island of Cuba as a Category Four hurricane.

[TheEnforcer]

Actually the difference is bigger than you think. The difference between 28 foot waves, which is what they were expecting at category 5, and the damage and flooding it can do and the 15 foot waves as a category 4 is very significant, especially in a place like NO. While you are still gonna take a ton of damage no matter what a flood surge from 28ft waves and 15 foot waves is definately different in maginitude. Maybe little comfort in that as a lot of damage is gonna be done gegardless but everyhting hels. And yes, by far, though the best news is that they didn't get hit head on.

Regardsless I am sure Billy got out safely and hope that as little damage is done as possible in a situation like this and they walk away with everyone alive and accounted for.