Good evening from Bayou Country. Some of you kind folks have sent emails my way expressing concern over my well-being in regards to Hurricane Katrina.

I am 200 miles west of New Orleans and we are expecting winds 50-60 mph gusting to 70 mph and lots of rain, but nothing severe. I do have family and friends in New Orleans and the surrounding area and am praying, like we all are, for their well being. Cell phone lines are pretty much jammed up and hard to get through any time.

We are hoping for the best, expecting the worst. It's a nightmare New Orleanians have suffered many decades now.

In addition to the unique geography and hazardous situation it sits in, decades of the oil industry and others raping the Louisiana coast (read "Bayou Farewell" by Mike Tidwell for an eye-opening and terrifying overview) has resulted in the destruction of our marshes and barrier reefs that for thousands of years protected Louisiana from such storms.

Keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.

Best regards from the Rez,
Roger Stouff

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