Sunday, August 31, 2008

Gustav's path becoming clearer

Hurricane Gustav continued to move ominously toward the Louisiana coast where mandatory evacuations are underway.

Although intensity forecasts have been erratic, currently Gustav is expected to make landfall as a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane. Probably even more important than its absolute strength is the location of the landfall. Gustav's right flank will batter the city of New Orleans pushing the storm surge directly into Lake Ponchartrain. This did not occur during Katrina when the storm passed to the east of New Orleans.

Also, Gustav's east flank will threaten the west bank of New Orleans, where levees are considered particularly vulnerable. The west bank largely escaped Hurricane Katrina's fury.

Like Katrina, Gustav is a massive storm with hurricane force winds currently extending 40 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds reaching out 200 miles.


CTV.ca

Gustav to test lessons of Katrina
CNNMoney.com - 37 minutes ago
Gustav, a Category 3 storm after raking through Cuba on Saturday, is expected to strengthen as it gets closer to the US coast. Forecasters predict it will ...
Hurricane Gustav affecting Mid-Michigan WLNS
Gustav could cost you $5 a gallon at the pumps BloggingStocks
Gustav Could Hit US Oil Rigs In Gulf Harder Than Katrina, Rita AHN


Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tropical Storm Gustav wrecks havoc

Tropical Storm Gustav cut a path of destruction through the Caribbean on a course that would have it skirting Jamaica and Cuba and possibly slamming into Louisiana.

The current forecast does not have the potential hurricane making a direct hit on New Orleans, devastated three years ago by Hurricane Katrina, but long range predictions have average errors of hundreds of miles.

Residents of New Orleans and Louisiana are taking no chances. Bobby Jindal, the state's governor, has declared a state of emergency allowing him to mobilize National Guard troops. Evacuation plans are being made ready for New Orleans and other cities.

Currently, Gustav is forecast to produce sustained winds at its highest strength of about 125 mph.


Death toll climbs as Gustav barrels through Caribbean
AFP - 2 hours ago
KINGSTON (AFP) - Tropical Storm Gustav battered Jamaica Thursday as the death toll climbed to 51 in Haiti, two days after the storm raked across the impoverished nation at hurricane strength.
Video: New Orleans Watching Gustav's Path AssociatedPress
Gustav strengthens as it cuts swath through Caribbean MiamiHerald.com
United Press International - Houma Courier - The Associated Press - The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

Labels: , , , ,


Add to Technorati Favorites!

Add to Google

Subscribe in NewsGator Online

If you have Google or Yahoo! toolbars, drag this link into your bookmarks toolbar to bookmark this page.


Add to reddit
Add to Digg

Press Ctrl + D to add to your browser bookmarks.