Live in New Orleans
September 1, 2008
It’s been a heck of a day. Well, really two days. I left my hotel in Denver at 7am Sunday for my scheduled flight to reach the Republican Convention in St. Paul, Minnesotta. Meanwhile, Hurricane Gustav was poised to slam into the Gulf Coast. My team and I acted immediately, booking a last minute flight to Houston via Atlanta. We landed in Houston around 10 o’clock with no supplies. I headed into the local Walmart. There we bought water, sleeping bags and a couple of flashlights. After buying supplies, our original plan called for us to set up shop and broadcast the show in Lake Charles, La or Lafeyette, La. Gustav was set to strike Lake Charles later Monday afternoon. Lafeyette would have put us even closer to New Orleans as we moved east down Interstate 10. When we arrived in the Lafeyette area, Rob assured me he was feeling good despite it being 3am. So we pushed on. We passed Baton Rouge and kept driving right into the eye of the storm. I told Rob we should start looking for a hotel, he agreed but said we would have to wait until we got closer to the Louis Armstrong International Airport outside New Orleans.
Once we got there, everything was closed and boarded up. There was going to be no open hotel rooms. So we continued on. By now, it had begun raining pretty hard and the wind was starting to pick up. We drove through in our rented Hummer. Rob assured me this was the best vehicle to drive into a Hurricane because of it’s ground clearance. See, Rob was here in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and actually fled the N.O. in a rented Hummer. Deja vu perhaps? Anyways…we made our way through Kenner, Metairie and finally into New Orleans. We were the only car on the road (probably the only group dumb enough to make this journey). Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect coming into New Orleans. What we found was a ghost town. Empty street after empty street in a city that is always on the move. Not today. Reports say up to 95% of the population of the New Orleans metro area and along the Louisiana coast clear across to Texas have evacuated. Based on what we have seen that number looks accurate. The only people here are a few stragglers, some televison media, the NOPD and the Ankarlo team.
Currently, we are broadcasting from the Marriot downtown. We are less than a mile from the Superdome, a couple of blocks from Bourbon Street and short walk to the Mississippi River. You may have seen the images of people at the Superdome during Katrina. Not during Gustav. The Superdome is not being used as a shelter, nor is the Convention Center. Only a few of the hotels are open and I had to bribe my way in. The Walgreens right down Canal Street was looted during Katrina and so far we have seen no signs of that only signs saying “We Shoot Looters.” Again, some lessons have been learned including from both the federal and local governments. They are not messing around here. That much is clear.
Today, Rob and I drove around New Orleans before the show. We drove through wind, rain, puddles, downed trees, damaged buildings. The water on the lakefront is normally calm, today the waves are rocky. Water is spilling over the industrial canal. That canal failed after Katrina causing devestating flooding to the 9th Ward. But, Rob tells me Gustav isn’t bringing nearly the rain that Katrina brought. But, the wind here is pretty fierce and could cause major damage. After the show today, I will continue driving around and bring you the latest updates. Ankarlo Mornings is live from New Orleans.
Check out our photo gallery.
Ankarlo is live in New Orleans for Hurricane Gustav
59 Photos
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THANK GOD for Diane Brennan ANKARLO who puts things into perspective & has class
U aren’t a woman and you’ve never been a pregnant teenager -
I’m disappointed that Palin’s daughter is pregnant -
she’s like 1000’s of other yng women in AMERICA -
I wonder if its a copy cat pregnancy and she just needs more attention from her mom and dad ?
But it would be nice ANKARLO if you spoke with some delicacy about these situations
MCCain was visibly so energized to have Palin on the ticket - I hope this news
blows far out to sea with GUSTAF;
Keep up the good work ROB DARRELL and DIANE - (she could work at the United Nations she is a diplomat Diane !)
I just love this morning team. Darrell…my daughter and I hope you never leave Phoenix! Every show is informative, funny, or thought provoking.
My comment to Palin’s daughter being pregnant? We cannot be with our children 24/7. We cannot make decisions for them. We can guide them, and release them.
This young lady made a brave choice to keep the baby. She will have consequences for that decision, as all mothers know. Her life will never be the same.
I don’t think this has any more impact on the VP. Every president has had to deal with personal issues.
It’s HOW they deal with them that makes a difference. (”I did not have sexual relations with that woman…)
Love you guys!
Oh Great Oz Ankarlo, rolling down the mean “Bubba” Streets of Lousiana looking for Gustav instead of “Who John McCain is” The RNC “Family Values Day” ruined not by rain, not by Joe Lieberman “tears” but “I’m just a redneck, and I don’t want kids.” I’m just 18, I don’t want to be “burdened with a baby” campaign backfires on the GOP Pomp and no Circumstance down in Tap Tap Ville Minnesota. I’m not gay, I have never been gay! She’s not married! She’s only 17, sweet 17!
Oh Great Oz Ankarlo, “Grammstanding McCain” can’t look up long enough to look America in the eye. She wasn’t my pick, I’m just here for the ride! I’m 72 years old, a mere possible one term President who can’t sell his 1.5 million dollar undisclosed “parking lot” here in Phoenix. “Grammstanding McCain and now his unveiled “Embroynic” Vice President, still coming out of the Rush Limbaugh on cue petrie dish. Palin is already Failin! I don’t know the duties of the Vice President, but I’m sure Dick Cheney will fill me in, in the coming weeks.
Oh Great Oz Ankarlo, No Coverage is what I expected from the Republican Cheerleaders. Now that McCain’s Big Oil Crack Telethon raised him about 47 million more illegal campaign contributions and still no offshore drilling off the coast of Hurricane Hit Florida. What a joke, Fred Thompson, Mr. Patriot Act “Television” Celebrity I know John he sucked during the primaries and “Traitor Joe” Lieberman, who right now has to feel like a real used abused “idiot” who sold his political soul on McCain. Bush, Cheney leaving town it’s September, and we all know this is Condi’s Month to read all Presidential Briefings prior to emailing them to the Crawford Ranch of Ramadan.
What a joke for anyone to think that we should even entertain the notion of putting a 5th grade Governor in the VP spot. McCain is 72 years old and he couldn’t raise his out of her butt long enough to answer the phone at 3am! She doesn’t look like she can handle “THE FOOTBALL” on any given SUNDAY as well. She has five kids, one who needs here attention not some of the time, but all the time. She has a child with special needs, and it doesn’t appear as though Hubby is Mr. Mom with his BP BIG OIL duties. Joke Joke, Joke. A mere Concession because McCain and the Republican Culture of Corruption is retreating to their log cabins in Trent Lott and Bill Frisk Compounds. Joke!
“no great” Morris….try to get a real life. Your whining is typical “democrap”!!!
Thanks Darrell for giving us a perspective of the Hurricane and the disaster it left. Luckily, New Orleans was preserved from a direct hit. I have never been to New Orleans…so I am happy for the photos. Of course..if I was there…there would be 300+ photos by now. : )
Don’t try to fix any of those houses…we know about your bathroom and your cut toe.
I hope you get your flight to cover the RNC from your perspective.
See you at the Glenn Beck program. I won tickets on your show this morning. I will bring my camera!!!
Be safe.