Infrared image of Gustav north of Cuba this morning...Courtesy NOAA NHC
Almost three years to the day, it is deja vu all over again. Hurricane Gustav, a major category three storm, is bearing down on the Louisiana coast this morning. This storm lost some of its punch overnight after hammering the western tip of Cuba with driving rains and powerful winds. While numerous deaths occurred in Jamaica and Haiti, so far none were reported in Cuba. Hundreds of thousands of people continue to flee New Orleans this morning packing highways as they head north and west away from the city. Mandatory evacuations are in place with hundreds of buses and scores of aircraft transporting people away. 1750 National Guard Troops have been placed in the city to enforce curfews and prevent looting. Mayor Nagin has informed anybody that stays behind that they will have no services. The message is "Get the heck out now!"
Forecasters expect Gustav to make landfall late Monday as a category 4 storm. A wall of water preceding the storm (strom surge may be over 18 feet with Gustav) is expected to send Lake Ponchatrain and the Mississippi over there banks once again.
Next Update this afternoon around 2pm...
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