Isiah Carey's Blog

The word has been issued, the city of Baton Rouge is under a curfew....It's mandatory. The curfew is in effect from 8:00 p.m. Monday night until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. Mayor Kip Holden says it will be strictly enforced. The only exemptions allowed will be people who are going to work.

THE BODIES ARE STILL IN THE HOUSE!

I got the call from a friend at a Baton Rouge television station telling me I needed to get over to a subdivision called Pollard Estates. I vaguely knew where it was. As we pulled up I was told there were two senior citizens killed in the house. They were there at their daughter's home to avoid being hurt in the hurricane. Just the opposite happened. They were both killed when a large tree fell on the house. It happened around 1:30pm when Gustav was first making his presence known. I received a call around 6:30pm saying the bodies were still in the house. The emergency workers were not able to get the large tree off their bodies. It's very sad. Here are some pictures of the house and obviously you realize the bodies were still in there when I snapped these photos!

I'M STUCK AND HIDING IN FRONT OF A BANK!




I'm sitting in my car virtually trapped by a storm called Gustav. I'm in Plaquemine, Louisiana where I found my self stuck because the winds are way to strong to travel in. I can feel my heavy duty Navigator vibrating...that's after I parked on the lawn of this bank. It's blocking these winds that won't seem to ever stop. I guess I'll be here a while. As that wind passes both ends of the building it looks like gray smoke. It's actually a mixture of rain and wind. And if you haven't heard wind howling then you don't want to. After a while it becomes extremely irritating and unnerving. It reminds you of the deadly punch mother nature packs. So if you're watching news in Houston and the weatherman says it's weaker than we thought...Just think about me cowering in my car waiting for Gustav to pass!

TIME TO COVER GUSTAV IN LOUISIANA!

If you've watched the CBS Evening News you're probably familiar with the veteran anchorwoman. Katie Couric was in Baton Rouge this weekend to cover hurricane Gustav. She has plans to broadcast from the city only 70 miles from New Orleans. Baton Rouge has become the command and communication center for first responders who will be based in the city. Couric was interviewed at the Insite's former home base - WAFB TV (CBS). She appeared on the news set with anchors Donna Britt and Andrea Moreau!

WHERE NEW ORLEANS RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT GO!

THOUSANDS OF NEW ORLEANS RESIDENTS ARE LANDING IN A CITY WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T BE...THAT'S BATON ROUGE. THE MAYOR OF THE CITY SAYS IT'S NOT DESIGNATED AS A RESIDENTIAL SHELTER LOCATION. HOWEVER THOUSANDS OF EVACUEES FLEEING GUSTAV HAVE GONE THERE. MAYOR KIP HOLDEN SAYS BATON ROUGE IS THE COMMAND CENTER AND SHELTER LOCATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS FROM THE AREAS THAT COULD BE HIT BY THE STORM SYSTEM. BUT BACK IN HIS CITY THEY'RE ALREADY FEELING THE EFFECTS. THERE ARE SOME GAS STATIONS THAT ARE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, STORES LOW ON FOOD AND HOTELS ARE AT THE MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY.

THE GANG IS ALL HERE!







In every major weather event you can expect to find news crews from Houston, Texas on the scene. Gustav is no different. Dozens of members of the news media made their way to New Orleans to cover the major storm that threatens to be just as bad as Katrina. I was there along with Phil Archer (KPRC), Brandon Martin (KPRC), Sally MacDonald (KRIV), Chris Gutierrez (FOX NEWS), Matt Matejka (KRIV), Mike Foster (KRIV), Alan Barlow (KRIV), Mark Jenner (KRIV), Jeremy Disel (KHOU) and the list goes on. I wasn't able to get pictures of everyone but here's what developed!

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PEOPLE BEING BUSED OUT TO SAFETY!




It's really sad to look into the faces of hundreds of people who are boarding charter buses this afternoon in New Orleans. They're being shipped to various places as Gustav approaches the Big Easy. There are children, elderly, disabled and others. I know it has got to be very difficult on them to have to pick up and evacuate just three years after Katrina. A storm that claimed the lives of about 1500 people in a very unprepared city. This time things have change with buses getting people out of harm's way well before a system touches the Louisiana coast. The SPCA is also here loading up the pets to ensure they aren't left behind. Here are some the pictures I was able to get at the AMTrak train station!

WE'RE OUT OF GAS, SORRY BUDDY!

Obviously, you all know Gustav could hit New Orleans. People know what it was like during Katrina so many of them are leaving without an evacuation order. The early signs are already here in the Big Easy. I drove out to an Exxon and found the tanks empty already. I had to drive another 5 miles to find some fuel. I was able to fill up but the line was crazy with a bunch of nervous people afraid the gas was going to run out before they hit the pump. I hope the state and the oil companies have fuel trucks on stand by for the worst. I'll keep you updated!

GAMBLING THROUGH THE BIG STORM!



No matter where I go and there is a storm approaching people still will go to the casino. I saw it in Lake Charles and I witnessed it again at Harrah's Casino in New Orleans. people want to win their money while the winning is good. I noticed there was a steady stream of people entering the casino despite the impending doom. I think it may be a form of relaxation for people. A form of relaxation I just don't understand. I lost $5 and almost had a heart attack. $20 is the maximum I will spend in a casino but Thursday night I would only part with $5. When and if I gamble it's like my money is flying away with wings on the bills. I just can't take that kind of torture. Do you know what I can do with $5!

ROOSEVELT TAYLOR FROM THE NFL!

You never quite know who you are going to run into in the Big Easy. On this very hot Friday I met NFL legend Mr. Roosevelt Taylor. Most of you blog readers are too young to know who he is. Taylor played in at least two Super Bowls in his career that began in 1961. He also played for the Chicago Bears, the Washington Redskins and the San Francisco 49er's. Taylor, who's from New Orleans, was in town from Arkansas to check up on the progress of his home. It's being renovated after it took quite a hit from Katrina. Now Mr. Taylor says he's worried about Gustav. Would you blame him. It was cool meeting the former NFL great pumping gas at the service station!

THE PERFECT PICTURE OF KNOWLEDGE AND COURAGE!

It's likely something you can only get from an older person who's seen a lot in their life time. It's that feeling you get from a person who's the perfect example of knowledge and courage. I think I got that today from a New Orleans resident by the name of Gloria Oliver. I was interviewing her about the approaching storm we now know as Gustav. I think the 65 year old hypnotized me with her words. I lost track of thought and forgot what I was doing because she made me just want to listen to her words. She talked about the devastation and death she witnessed in Katrina. She talked about losing her home and mother in a matter of years. She talked about the crumbling community she lives in. She talked about a lot but through it all Ms. Oliver says she has endured. The Treme resident says her faith comes from God and God alone. Her words of wisdom was like opening a good book you've been waiting to read. She was truly a pleasure to meet. A person i will probably never forget. Ok, I'll stop now before it sounds like I'm crazy. I just hope all of you run into your Ms. Oliver. She makes the problems we endure seem very bearable. Just a day in New Orleans for me!

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HOTELS IN NEW ORLEANS ARE BOARDING UP FOR GUSTAV!




It's kind of scary when you see construction guys boarding up the place you're staying in. That's exactly what's happening at the hotel I'm booked in while covering Gustav for FOX 26. Most hotel workers are telling their guest check out will be Saturday morning at 10 am. I'm at the LaQuinta where the manager is really nervous. I don't blame Mohammad because he just went through Katrina three years ago. And believe it or not there are guests who are just down right upset with the hotel. They want to stay but there is no where for them to lay their heads. By the way, the Gay Decadence festival is apparently going on and those participants say they're catching early flights back to where they came from!

HARDIN: I DON'T THINK I'M MATLOCK!

High profile defense attorney Rusty Hardin dumped his usual light colored suit on Thursday. If you don't know him - he always wears those signature light colored suits. Typically, it's a tan, beige, or khaki colored material. But Hardin during closing arguments in the Victoria Osteen civil trial said he opted for a darker suit today. He said he didn't want anybody to think that he thought he was Matlock. Hardin even stopped and posed for a picture for the site. Thanks Mr. Hardin!

HARDIN: THIS IS SACRILEGE!

Rusty Hardin is before a jury this morning with his closing argument in the trial of Victoria Osteen versus Sharon Brown. Hardin represents the Osteens in this case. Hardin says Brown, a flight attendant, simply wants to be paid. He says he's not calling her lawsuit frivolous but sacrilege. Hardin says he doesn't mean that in religious terms but in a practical sense. He says the lawsuit Brown has brought against Osteen is shameful and blasphemous to those who have endured real traumatic experiences. Hardin says, "there is absolutely no evidence that she suffered mentally or physically harmed on the plane." Hardin says Brown wants to be paid for an alleged fight or altercation that never happened. Brown has sued Victoria Osteen for allegedly pushing and hitting her on a flight back in 2005 from Texas to Colorado. Brown is hoping to get at least a half million dollars from the Osteens in the case. In closing her attorney Reginald McKamie asked the jury to award her at least $200,000 for past mental anguish and another $200,000 for future mental anguish. The jury is expected to get the case later this afternoon.

SHARON BROWN'S SIDE IS UP NOW!

The attorney for Sharon Brown has kicked off closing arguments in the flight attendant's civil case against Victoria Osteen. Reginald McKamie says he and Brown have taken on an army by challenging Osteen in court. He pointed out the huge defense team lead by Rusty Hardin. McKamie says the Osteen's have hired multiple defense attorneys, clerks, investigators and others to help the co-pastor of Lakewood Church win the civil case. McKamie says, "this is like David versus Goliath and Victoria is not David." McKamie told jurors there are others for whom the rules don't apply. They feel they have favor from God. Brown has sued Osteen for allegedly pushing and hitting her on a 2005 flight from Texas to Colorado. Osteen has maintained her innocence throughout this case. Rusty Hardin is expected to take over within the hour to present closing arguments for the Osteens!