Image: a work created by Banksy in New Orleans last week, photographed by Jonno.
(1) Jim Graham wipes the playa dust off his keyboard and types,
John Graham (no relation) has created .kml and .kmz files integrating satellite imagery of Gustaz, updating every 15 minutes. Files are available at: (one) (two)
(2) Jeff Masters at Weather Underground blogs:
The main concern from Gustav is the storm surge. NHC is still predicting a 10-14 foot storm surge along the east side of New Orleans (Figure 2). This storm surge is characteristic of a Category 3 hurricane, providing a significant test of New Orleans' rebuilt levee system. Recent tide gauge readings from the east side of New Orleans show that a storm surge in excess of 7 feet has already occurred in Lake Borgne (Figure 1).
(3) BB reader Quincy Webster points us to an infographic modeling estimated Gustav damage to energy infrastructure in the Gulf. "Graphic below is damage models based on LBAR hurricane forecast track, key is below. Numerical damage estimates are below the fold for oil and natural gas shut-in and damage."
(4) DHunter says,
This pachube url has a little google map showing the current reported location of the hurricane and its wind speed and pressure (and, if you're prone to making things electronic, via Pachube also the data that can be used with Arduinos to make a remote monitor, device, whatever; or embed the 24hour windspeed graph in webpages).
(5) Video: John McCain pops a lulz on FEMA, Katrina, and Arabian Horses, back in 2005. (via Siege)
(6) In the New York Times, a profile of Mark Schleifstein, the 24-year veteran of NOLA's Times-Picayune , known as "the man who predicted the flood." He believes restoring natural wetlands and indigenous ecosystems in the Gulf region is the only way to prevent recurring catastrophic damage.
"If the federal government ever awakens to the disastrous consequences of inaction on that front – the importance of coastal restoration and the rebuilding of barrier islands – Mark will deserve much of the credit," [Times-Picayune editor Jim] Amoss said. In the aftermath of Katrina, Mr. Schleifstein and a team of reporters investigated the failure of the levees surrounding New Orleans. He also reported on the rebuilding of the levee system and the efforts to replenish the area's wetlands and coastlines. His most recent series, "Last Chance," published in March 2007, outlined why scientists believe the next decade is crucial to the wetlands restoration process.
Here is Shleifstein's blog at the Times-Picayune — he's been posting items daily over the last few days.
(7) Here are two frequently-updated Twitter feeds from folks on the ground on NOLA: @raynola = Ray Shea, and @gustavreporter, Chicago Tribune reporters who are there to cover the storm and its aftermath. (thanks @unapologetic)
(8) The New Orleans metbloggers are at it again today, with posts about "staying in town, CNN panic and levees getting topped."
Previously on Boing Boing:
