Gayle's Blog

The news tells me that Louisiana dodged the bullet with Gustav. I doubt the people in Baton Rouge and many other parts of the state would agree. This was no Katrina, but Gustav definitely brought its own brand of havoc.

Here in north LA, we thought the storm had passed, but we were wrong. We had 9.3 inches of rain in a 24-hr. period Tuesday. More is expected today. The wind is not an issue, but lots of areas are experiencing flooding. In fact, many of my neighbors had water come into their houses last night. I was spared, but I was very nervous!

My friend Nonnie is in a nursing home in West Monroe. They had sandbags in several areas around the building, but water still seeped into many rooms. Residents were moved to dry areas during the night. This is very upsetting for many residents who cling to the familiar surroundings of their little rooms. It will be several days before the carpet can be removed so that they can return to their own spaces. Another nursing home near Glenwood Hospital was evacuated due to flooding.

Unexpected guests continued to arrive last night. 

This alligator was found last night on Brookwood Drive, just off Hwy 165N. Unfortunately, he was shot when he bit one of the officers who was attempting to capture him.

My daughter evacuated to Baton Rouge where she experienced more storm activity than in New Orleans. Like everyone else, she is anxious to get home. The problem is that there is no power in Baton Rouge, so she can't get any gas or supplies to take home with her. In the New Orleans area, lack of power means no groceries and no gas. It's a dillema faced by thousands of people now displaced again. Hopefully it won't be such a long time away from home this time.

Keller Williams Realty is open and doing well! Thankfully, we had no damage and no flooding at our office.  I've heard that another local real estate company just off N. 19th Street had water come inside. I'm not surprised. I stopped by there about 7:30 Tues. evening to pick up some papers. Water was well above my ankles in the parking spots at the front of the building then, but it had not yet gone inside. The streets around that area were all flooded. It's a mess.

Needless to say, most people have been too distracted the past few days to be looking at houses. If your house is on the market, please make sure your yard is the first in the neighborhood to be cleaned up. Buyers will be out again soon!

Gayle Causey
Keller Williams Realty
Monroe, LA USA
318-614-5615
http://GayleCausey.com