I spoke with Davis, Neil and Todd late this morning as they drove from Slidell (across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans on what was I-10) to Baton Rouge to meet the Davis’s parents. As Mike posted below, his folks were moved from the marina near New Orleans to a shelter in Baton Rouge and are safe. Davis’s brother arranged a flight from the Baton Rouge airport to his home in Pensacola. Unfortunately for Davis and the crew the flight left minutes before they made it to the airport, but they are safe. We’ll have live reports from the guys this afternoon on News 2 starting at 4:00 PM.

More mid-state damage from Katrina:

Most of us avoided serious damage as Katrina pushed through Tuesday morning, but there were several trees knocked down as 40 to 50 mph winds blew through the area. Sharon Prince of Huntland lost a very large tree in Franklin County.

Who knew?

August was a wet month at the Nashville International Airport where official records are kept. 6.89″ of rain fell this month, which is more than 200% of the normal value of 3.16″.

An update to let everyone know that Davis’s parents have been located. Word came to the newsroom through Davis’s brother in Florida that Mom and Dad Nolan are at a relocation center in Baton Rouge. The Assignment Editor was able to relay the message to Davis. He, Neil and Todd are racing to Baton Rouge now. More details as they become available. Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers.

Justin adds:

If you didn’t happen to catch the News 2 This Morning live report from Davis and Neil as they approached New Orleans (and before they heard the news of Davis’s parents) you should head to the News 2 website and check it out. You can feel and see the worry in Davis’s face - I can’t imagine what the 12 hour trip southward must have felt like. We’re all relieved and happy for him.

We’ve received at least 100 e-mails in the Storm Center yesterday and today from viewers telling Davis that his parents were in their thoughts and prayers. Thank you - you’re the best!

Improving Weather in Tennessee:

The heavy rains and wind are departing Middle Tennessee as Katrina lifts north into the Ohio River Valley. Rain showers continue at midday from Nashville northward to southern Kentucky. Another batch of rain in Western Tennessee will move through the mid-state this afternoon. Check it out by clicking the “NWS Radar Loop” at the top of the blog. Ample clouds will keep temperatures in the middle and upper 70s this afternoon.

Conditions Worsen in New Orleans:

People across the country breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared that New Orleans was spared a direct hit yesterday morning. Unfortunately the situation worsened in the Crescent City last night and this morning. A two-block long breach in the levee dividing Lake Pontchartrain and the city occured last night and the water continues to rise today.

According to Mayor Ray Nagin 80% of the city is underwater today, up to 20 feet in some parts. Both airports are underwater. If you’re unfamiliar with New Orleans, the New York Times has an excellent graphic detailing some of the destruction.

Live streaming coverage from WWL-TV in New Orleans here.

Davis Nolan, Neil Orne and video-journalist Todd Dunn are headed to New Orleans to locate Davis’ parents and to cover the damage. More on that on News 2 this afternoon and tonight.

It’s too early to estimate how many lives will be lost to Katrina, but I surmise the final numbers will be staggering. Clean-up will not take days or weeks, but several months. It’s a tough time for those of us with ties to the city.

The heavy rain is pushing out of the mid-state now, but off and on light rain and wind will stay with us through the early afternoon.

We’ve received several e-mails with reports of damage across all parts of the mid-state. If you’ve got any damage in your area, please post it in the comments section - it’s a real help for us to know this stuff!

Donna Kay Kasper in Hendersonville reported over 7″ of rain through 8:00 AM this morning.

A tree fell on a roof in Clarksville near Trenton Road.

Brad Foster e-mailed this picture of a tree that came through the roof in his sister’s room in Cookeville this morning. Scary!

The Nashville NWS compiles Middle Tennessee storm reports here.

Hourly weather observations for Tennessee (including sustained wind speed and wind gusts) can be viewed here.

You can click on your county to get the latest watches/warnings/etc. here.

Map of total rainfall from Katrina can be viewed here.

Current Middle Tennessee radar is here or at the top of the blog under “NWS Radar Loop”.

Got candles? Nashville Electric Service power outage map is here.

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 6am Tuesday for southeastern middle Tennessee. It includes Lincoln, Moore and Franklin counties.

The Flood Watch for all of middle Tennessee has been extended until 10pm Tuesday.

An Inland Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for most of middle Tennessee. You can follow this link to the Nashville National Weather Service, then click on your county to get the very latest on watches and warnings.

You may find it interested to follow the Hourly Observations as we go through the night and Tuesday morning to check out wind gusts…. Refresh Often!

We will be updating the weather, at least, every 30 minutes on News 2.

Many schools will be closed Tuesday due to the threat of flooding rains and damaging winds from the remnants of Katrina.
Here’s the list… refresh often.