Saturday, Aug. 30 - 12:00 a.m. (Grand Isle, La.)

It's midnight.  I'm the first of our crew to arrive on Grand Isle.  The long drive from Baton Rouge gave me a lot of time to think about what lies ahead . . . and behind.

It's something we've all been doing lately.  Five years ago, the best meteorologists could give us with any certainty was a three-day forecast.  That gave folks like us, who rush headlong into the teeth of storms, little time to reflect on what might be.  Three days was just enough to throw some clothes in a bag, gas up the satellite truck, and make it to the coast to watch the surf roll in.

Now, with five-day projections, we get to sweat the details.  While the newer faces in the newsroom jockey for position to nab a spot on the beach, I've had a knot in my gut for three days.

From the time Gustav flared up, I've had a bad feeling about this one.  I've spent 20 years shooting news on the Gulf Coast and chasing storms like Gustav.

Storm coverage is never easy -- three, four, five days eating sandy food from a cellophane bag.  It's long hours, mind warping stress, and adrenaline rushes you'll never find in any amusement park.  It's sugar highs and big crashes.  It's dicey phone connections back to the station and high fives to the crews in the field who are the only ones who truly know what it took to get the coverage on the air.  It's a time for newsies to prove what they're made of, and it's no place to take chances.

  Speaking of newsies, we've got a great crew on the way.  Reporter Jim Shannon (shown above) and Photojournalist Joe McCoy (left) watched Katrina roll into New Orleans and stayed for weeks covering the aftermath.  They each have more than 20 years in the business, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather have around when the winds pick up.  Later this weekend, Reporter Cheryl Mercedes and Photojournalist Charles Holmes join the mix to help with WAFB's continuing coverage of Gustav.

Along with Cheryl and Charles, Randy LeDuff joins the team on Sunday.  A 30-year news veteran and satellite operator, Randy is always a go to guy when we're running and gunning in remote locations.

Two nights ago, my wife told me she didn't want to take this trip.  No fussing.  No arguing.  Just a simple statement.

In most homes, that might pass without notice.  In the Portier house, it was the first time those words have ever been spoken.  It hit home hard.  She knows the station, and our viewers are counting on me.  And she knows too well that I'd be miserable anywhere but in the thick of things.  Still part of me wants to be left behind.

It's an emotional tug-of-war that we all go through every time a storm threatens to send crews to the coast.

It's not the dry assignment in the State Office of Emergency Preparedness that we want.  It's not that we loathe sleeping on a satellite truck floor, sand in our teeth, or seaweed in our shorts.  It's what these little excursions into absurdity do to our families.

For the past 20 years, every time we head to the coast, our wives and husbands put on a brave face and kiss us good-bye at the door not really sure when we'll be coming back.  They're left to keep life normal at home without us.  And as much as we worry about everyone back home while we're surfing with a satellite dish, we can never imagine what we're putting them through.

Just once I might like to be left behind . . . Probably not.  But when the winds are raging outside, it's a lot nicer curling up with my wife than a soggy news crew.

- Rick Portier

Comments

[Shawn]

Hey Rick, this is Shawn (from the lab at BRG)I was thinking about you today. I hope your drawers stay dry and streak free! Should have listened to Gail.
Take care and please, please now is not the time to learn windsurfing.
Shawn

[Mark Smith]

Rick, this is Mark Smith, formerly of State Homeland Securtiy/Emergency Management. I wish you and your crew luck down there. I, for one, do appreciate and understand what you are doing and how it will affect not only you, but your family. Stay safe, buddy.

Mark

[Misty]

I've always wondered what you guys go through when you are out there. I'll definitely be reading your blog. Good luck to you and your crew. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife. I can't imagine what I'd do in her situation.

Misty
Walker, LA

[Channon Lucas]

You and your crew need to say some major prayers about this storm. I'm like you, I have a really bad feeling about this one and so does my husband. I think we (south central La.) are really in for a wild ride with this one. And let's not forget Hanna right behind it. May God have mercy and help us all. Good luck with your stay in Grand Isle during this storm. Your wife has good reason for worry. A lot of the people around here don't know what to expect. To be honest, I really don't either. This one has me scared, but I think I'm just as scared of the next one.(Hanna) I also would like to take the time to say THANK YOU! Brave people like you are the ones that we can count on to bring us the best coverage possible. Be careful and try to stay safe.

Channon
Albany,La.

[John Walton]

Rick,

Good luck with the storm. Tell Joe, Randy and Jim...John Walton said hello. Be safe out there guys!