Is great to hear you all are ok. If you hear anyting from Paul and Shannon you will have to post or email with news. Am shuffling between Memphis motels, so voice mail likely best at my old number.once the phones start working again look forward to talking to you all. Again, great that you are safe.

JJ - It's JOEL! It just occurred to me to check your blog. We've slowly been establishing contact with everyone at work. I'm sure you'll stop by here again before you even get phone lines back.

We have not accounted for Don or the Bupp brothers.

The last we heard from Don he was in the Slidell office Saturday night with 15 people and a generator.

Sunday night Parish President Kevin Davis returned from a trip through flooded Slidell to tell us that there is 4 ft. of water across Gause in front of the office. The roof is mostly gone and the back wall is gone. The generator was smashed into a car in the parking lot. We haven't found Don yet but we don't think he was in the building at the time.

Covington was relatively in good shape. We were completely blacked out with no comms during the storm. We were fine but we assumed the rest of the world must have ended. We lost water but were able to run power off the generators. We had no food for 1.5 days.

All of the sensor readings were off the charts. The measurements of this storm will all be estimations.

Julie and the kids were in Destin and never lost power or cable.

I dropped Taylor off in McComb which has many trees down and several buildings smashed (worse than Taylor-smashed). Nobody there has power or water either. My cousin's husband heads the ER in McComb and said that Miss. and Lou. are sending critical people there but they don't have pwr and h20 either. We all thought on the Coast that McComb would be a mecca of hot showers, cable, gas, and food but they are struggling too.

I drove up to Oxford. I was not able to get gas till Canton and the gas stations were closed and guarded by cops but you could get gas with a card. Jackson was shutdown with cops directing all traffic.

I didn't stop seeing major damage until I hit Grenada. My cell phone gradually began working better as I went north. Through spotty calls and a few text messages I was able to contact Chuck who had talked to Taylor who had received an OK status text msg from Zhette.

The directions and distances you can call (even from Oxford) are unpredictable. It takes us three phones to contact everyone. I have tried to call you but can't.

At 9:41 p.m. Tue. (8/30) Taylor got a brief call from Doss who was in a Gulport office building. His house survived but Bonnie's did not. But they and their families are alive and well.

The Bupp brothers fled to Wiggins. I can get Kevin's cell phone voicemail so I leave messages every so often and so does Taylor.

I was able to contact Zack in Batesville. We are able to maintain pretty regular communication now. Our cell phones are finicky but we can get through if we try. Land lines in this area have no long distance yet.

Tomorrow I will track down TJ at the Ole Miss Delta Psi house and see what he's heard from his parents if anything. I'm assuming they stayed with Craig and are OK.

Here are my numbers:
228-342-1891 (work cell)
662-236-2851 (Oxford landline)
662-607-1498 (Mama Pam's cell)
662-915-5356 (Mama Pam's office)
850-837-0667 (Julie's Destin condo - I'll be there soon)

Here are Zack's numbers:
662-563-3591 (Batesville landline)
228-806-2404 (Zack's cell)
228-342-0704 (Zack's NVS cell)

Chuck's numbers:
228-342-2036 (Chuck's NVS cell)
909-793-2853 ext. 1541 (Chuck's desk at ESRI)
xxx-xxx-xxxx (Taylor has his hotel number)

Taylor's numbers:
601-341-0992 (Taylor's cell
601-276-2644 (Taylor's parents' landline)
228-342-3970 (Taylor's NVS cell)

There are lots of numbers for everybody because we never know which one will get us in and out.

Talk to you later. Give somebody a call when you get a chance.

-- Joel

JJ -

My contact information:

Comfort Suites, Room 220
1230 West Colton Avenue
Redlands, CA 92374
Phone: (909) 335-9988
Fax : (909)335-2424

ESRI DSG
cparker @ esri.com
(909) 793-2853 ext 1541

I can receive text messages on my cell but not calls. Haven't been able to contact Craig since yesterday morning, I'm assuming his cell phone finally gave out. Last I heard, they were ok. Not sure where they were or where they're heading.

Still no word from Don or the Bupps. Once we hear from them, I'll be breathing a little easier.

I've felt so helpless here, glued to CNN. I know its a heck of a time to think about work, but there may be a few things we can do to help. Jack wants ESRI to help with out however they can. They may be able to obtain some new satellite imagery of the coast. Let me know what other layers would be useful. Data would be uploaded to Mama Pam, and Joel has an IMS site ready to handle it. Taylor has both of the laptops with ESRI software on it. If we need any additional key codes or software, we got it. ESRI can also take on one or more additional NVision employees in ArcIMS or ArcSDE support for maybe up to 90 days. Ron K wants to talk to Craig ASAP to see where ESRI can help (call me for contact info). If you hear from him, please pass this information on. I know he's probably got a ton of things on his mind right now, but I truly believe that we are in a position to help.

If you need anything or just want to talk, you should be able to get in touch with me via the above numbers or SMS messaging on the cell.

Good luck,

/ ct

Chuck should be watching FOX for more fair and better balanced news. Seriously, they have had better coverage from what I've seen. I flip back and forth between FOX and CNN.

Lauri's power was restored today - JJ, she ran into who you're staying with, btw. I'm planning on heading that way in the morning. Right now my plans are to head to Memphis and then go 78 to Birmingham then I65 south into Mobile. Yeah, it's not fast but it's sure.

Lauri's home phone is:
251.342.8780

On my way down I'll be calling her once an hour or so (I get bored), so call her if you want to know where I am.

I want to be closer to the coast so when we can go in and survey the damage/pick up what's left, we'll be able to. I saw some footage of Bay St. Louis on CNN and stepped through the frames. A lot of structures right on the beach are still standing. Everything was not "leveled" as has been reported. The coffee shop, the theatre, and likely my apartment were gutted due to the surge, however. The bank looked BADLY damaged and many of the smaller shops were no where to be seen.

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like, maybe a sea monster coming out of the bay and eating the church.

GO-ZILLA!

Chuck should be watching FOX for more fair and better balanced news. Seriously, they have had better coverage from what I've seen. I flip back and forth between FOX and CNN.

Lauri's power was restored today - JJ, she ran into who you're staying with, btw. I'm planning on heading that way in the morning. Right now my plans are to head to Memphis and then go 78 to Birmingham then I65 south into Mobile. Yeah, it's not fast but it's sure.

Lauri's home phone is:
251.342.8780

On my way down I'll be calling her once an hour or so (I get bored), so call her if you want to know where I am.

I want to be closer to the coast so when we can go in and survey the damage/pick up what's left, we'll be able to. I saw some footage of Bay St. Louis on CNN and stepped through the frames. A lot of structures right on the beach are still standing. Everything was not "leveled" as has been reported. The coffee shop, the theatre, and likely my apartment were gutted due to the surge, however. The bank looked BADLY damaged and many of the smaller shops were no where to be seen.

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like, maybe a sea monster coming out of the bay and eating the church.

GO-ZILLA!

Chuck should be watching FOX for more fair and better balanced news. Seriously, they have had better coverage from what I've seen. I flip back and forth between FOX and CNN.

Lauri's power was restored today - JJ, she ran into who you're staying with, btw. I'm planning on heading that way in the morning. Right now my plans are to head to Memphis and then go 78 to Birmingham then I65 south into Mobile. Yeah, it's not fast but it's sure.

Lauri's home phone is:
251.342.8780

On my way down I'll be calling her once an hour or so (I get bored), so call her if you want to know where I am.

I want to be closer to the coast so when we can go in and survey the damage/pick up what's left, we'll be able to. I saw some footage of Bay St. Louis on CNN and stepped through the frames. A lot of structures right on the beach are still standing. Everything was not "leveled" as has been reported. The coffee shop, the theatre, and likely my apartment were gutted due to the surge, however. The bank looked BADLY damaged and many of the smaller shops were no where to be seen.

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like, maybe a sea monster coming out of the bay and eating the church.

GO-ZILLA!

Zack, glad to hear you are safe. Chuck showed me your site, and gave me your telephone number in Mobile -- just tried to call -- can't get through. I've also tried contacting Craig -- still no contact. We can talk more about the possiblity of having you guys work with us when we get a chance to talk.

The GIS Corps was asking for volunteers earlier to assist in data processing and damage assessment via GPS and mobile GIS. I offered assistance via NVision and explained our situation. They currently have all of the positions filled, but if anyone wants to sign up for new positions that might open, this is the form:

http://www.giscorps.org/info_for_volunteers/signup.php

This is the response I received from the head of the organization:

Chuck,

Thanks very much for offering your assistance and I am very glad that you and our staff are safe. As you may be aware, we have filled the 20 positions for Mississippi project, however, we will deploy more volunteers if we get more requests for them. Therefore, please submit an application to our web site and we'll review them as need arises.

Regards,

Shoreh Elhami, GISP
GISCorps Co-Founder, Chairperson
www.giscorps.org

Finally, some useful imagery:

http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/katrina/089I30C_KATRINA.HTM

Also, this site may be useful:

http://www.katrinaslost.com

I checked the Mississippi coast list, and didn't see any names I recognized, but you may be able to provide information for a few people.

Hi Ron -

Thanks. You know I'm always glad and ready to be out there helping out. As soon as we pull some communication together we'll know a bit more about what's going on. Things are getting better down here every day, but there's still a long road ahead. Things in New Orleans are apparently not getting better each day.

Today I traveled to Bay St. Louis and Long Beach. My apartment is still there but was flooded up to my hips. I have 3 inches of mud in my apartment and aside from what little I pulled out today lost everything. We'll rebuild, retool, and make better. It was time for a yard sale anyway. 603 (I think - exit 13) is passable. I had to hike to my apartment at first, but was able to park pretty close once I figured out which roads were blocked. In Bay St. Louis, a police officer with an AR-15 (I think, I didn't see the 3rd select fire notch on the right side, so I'm assuming it wasn't an M16) chatted with me a bit to make sure I belonged there. It's good to know they are keeping order.

I didn't get a chance to see Joel's place, but I understand he was also in the area today. Phones don't work at all a few miles west of the AL border, so I wasn't able to get in touch with him. I took many photographs of the area and as soon as I figure out the best way to post them will do so.

Fuel is scarce here in Mobile. I'm planning on heading back to Batesville tomorrow morning and waiting until things settle down a bit down here before coming back.

If you haven't heard yet, Taylor sent out a message stating that Don and family are alive and well. That means we didn't lose anyone from the team, thank God.

Stay in touch -
Z

Zack, I'm glued to the TV and the computer trying to watch and wanting to somehow help. My sister (Lee Capps) left her Surf Street Waveland address the day before the storm hit and is now up near Tyler, TX at a hotel. She feels helpless but has the company of 150 other folks from the coast that drove out before the storm. She works for the Navy at Stennis and has been in contact with several coworkers who are also spread all over. She is really worried about some of her coworkers that she has not been able to make contact with. Once comm. improves, I hope they are safe also.

I can tell you that many folks at ESRI are thinking about you and your neighbors.

Hang in there!

Ron

I also received the message today that all are accounted for: "Peyton OK, dumb ass working on his house. I went to LA to check on him." That was a huge relief. No we can start thinking about moving forward from here.

I messaged Craig to let him know that Ron needs a verbal confirmation to get Zack and Joel out to CA. He messaged back: "Verbal OK. Get in touch with Joel and let me know." Joel, if you can get a resume to me, Ron can start working on this.

It could be weeks before cell communication even starts returning to normal. Ron, if you can message him on his cell, that is all you'll have to go on. Hopefully that will be enough.

There was something else I meant to mention yesterday but didn't. Joel and I talked before I crossed the Alabama border (cells don't work in MS). I intended on swinging by Stennis and grabbing our servers. Pam Lawhead is planning on hosting them at Ole Miss, I think. I didn't make it to Stennis, but I did call the gate - they will let you on as long as you have your badge.

Chuck - Joel is going to be on the MS coast for a day or two helping his grandfather. That entire area is a dead zone with respect to cell coverage, but it's getting better. Last night Lauri was able to get a call out to her parents in Long Beach. I would try to get him on his cell, but don't expect much. I suggest calling Pam or Julie and passing along messages to them. I think it's pretty likely he'll be calling them regularly.

I spoke with Lauri's parents, who were at the shelter during the hurricane. They didn't know about 1103, but said that the corner (I don't know which) of 1100 was hit by a tornado, tearing some of the building off and damaging some cars.

I'm heading north again and will be there by nightfall. As stated previously, the number there is 662.563.3591.

Z

Hey y'all:

As you know by now Chris and I are ok. We are starting to get cell phone towers around Wiggins, MS. After waiting 5 and a half hours to only get 5 gallons at gouged prices (yes we're reporting them to the MS Attourney General) we decided to go farther for gas. We are currently in Starkville, MS where we have been able to get about 30 gallons of gas in cans and plan to get a stock of food as well. We will be taking those supplies back down to Wiggins soon to help feed folks and fuel their generators until they get power. Hopefully it will be enough. We will be staying with our grandparents who now have comm. (land-line and a few cell towers). Numbers that we can be reached at are:

My cell: 662-312-3363
Chris' cell: 662-312-0636
My work cell: 228-342-3972
Our g'parents house: 601-928-6170

I'll check back here before we head to Wiggins seeing as how there is still no power down there. Feel free to call me if you need us. We are willing to do whatever we can to help.

Take care,
-Kevin

Hi guys -

I'm back in Batesville and spoke with Joel last night. He was having some trouble getting fuel in Destin, but I think he made out okay.

Joel spoke with Craig face-to-face (that's the only way to speak to someone in Diamondhead). He's fine. He did not go to the shelter, but rode it out at this home there. Craig's been cut off from the media and may be unaware of how widespread and complete the devastation is from Katrina. I heard on the radio Stennis is about to resume emergency Navy operations. I don't know when our office will have power and connectivity.

Joel collected our servers and Pam Lawhead is going to get them up at Ole Miss. Joel's in FL right now - I don't know when he'll be in north MS again. He's planning on returning to the MS coast shortly. He nearly got stuck there by running out of fuel. If you run out of fuel, you become another victim down there. If you must go to the coast, bring lots and lots of gas, drive 60-65 (leave it on cruise), keep the windows rolled up, and try not to run your air conditioner. I was able to get in, around, and out on a tank of gas following that strategy.

Joel's seen the office and nothing is damaged there. Dark, but undamaged.

Once our servers are back up, those with Internet connections will be able to check their mail and I'll be able to contact some of our customers whose contact information was either on my workstation or in my email.

I mentioned this to everyone I've spoken with, but I'll also post it here - Jim Dow hadn't heard from Scott the last time I spoke with him. I'm going to try to call Jim again tomorrow, but if anyone knows anyone around the Picayune area any information they can provide would be gratefully appreciated.

I'm not prepared to leave Mississippi until I find out what my liability is with my apartment. I wouldn't feel bad about writing off everything that is in my apartment now if it comes down to that (it's all ruined anyway). I don't know if I'm responsible for getting my belongings out or not. If anyone knows the answer to this (I don't have a copy of my lease, so I can't check it to see if there's a provision in it for this) please clue me in.

Thanks,
Z

HI Guys

Chuck gave me this address to post. Went out to SSC today. They are trying to get the power on to the entire site, but haven't had any luck yet. B. 1100 does have A/C, Phones and intermitten internet by generator. I am hoping SSC is up in a couple of days. Your offices were dark but there was a note on the door that Joel and Taylor brought NV0 and NV1 to Oxford.

Glad Craig made out ok, what about the Kogers?

My family is all safe, although Bill and I are the only ones with a house left. My parents, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins all had 10 feet of water in their houses.

Pat's house is gone, he lived on Lake Pontchartrain, but he is safe in Starkville.

Yongzuo's house is near Don's in Slidell and he has no damage.

We'll go back out to SSC tomorrow and give ya'll an update.

Elizabeth