Gustav news here (New Orleans, Lafayette, Kenner: tornado, dangerous, move)

[aiangel_writer]

here in North MS we are also experiencing clouds from Gustav if you can believe it! So this thing is huge, and even though it is getting ragged, don't doubt for a second that it wont gain strength again. IF you have not left, please do so guys, this thing is a monster.

[Alanboy395]

I think the president of St Benard Parish said it in a nut shell.

"If you stay, you will be on your own."

If you are still in the danger zone and reading this, GET OUT WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Terry37]

Originally Posted by Petronilla

Yep, Ill be sticking it out in the Westbank and in Lutcher... (working in Lutcher, live in WB). Im going to call my work and they will put me up in Lutcher if need be... if it hits west, Lutcher wont be the best place to be I guess..... Best of luck to everyone! Bless you all!

Please be careful. I am from the other side of the River from Lutcher (St. James), I hope you do not live near the Levee in Lutcher! I live on the WB now we have evacuated!

[ArizonaBear]

I just want to say I hope everyone gets out of the danger zone in one piece

For the record: my state (Arizona) is also sending emergency crews to help the Louisiana authorities in dealing with the (hopefully nonexistent) aftermath.

[darylwi]

It has gotten dark here in BTR. A little rain came through, but nothing of any consequence. I think we're expecting the onslaught to begin after midnight and continue through the day tomorrow. I'll be sticking it out here and I'll be sitting here bored watching tv and be on the internet until I lose power. Then I'll listen to the radio and maybe try to sleep through the rest of it.
Any consolation, I had a very nice bbq with the extended family today; an early Labor Day. Might as well cook everything before electricity goes out and it all spoils.
It feels wierd when you're out and about in this city and there are chinook helicopters flying back and forth above the city, obviously evacuating special needs evacuees from NOLA. It feels like Katrina all over again. But I will say that traffic moved through here a lot smoother this time for the evacuation.

[$DFW8$]

HURRICANE GUSTAV UPDATE

Ok, I was just looking at some weather sites and I thought I would post an update on the hurricane. Right now it is a Category 3 Hurricane with winds up to 115 mph. It is headed northwest and the winds are about to hit the tip of Louisiana. At 7:00 P.M. CDT, it was 260 miles from New Orleans. This storm is suppose to be REALLY bad and it is HUGE. New Orleans is basically shut down. The hurricane will make landfall Monday.

Anybody that is still in New Orleans or anywhere on the coast needs to evacuate immediately or find a shelter. On the news, they said you can call 211 for shelter information.

Our thoughts are with everybody on the coast. Please be safe!

DFW8
Dallas





-Citation Weather Underground Tropical Storm: 5 Day Forecast Map : Weather Underground

[southernnaturelover]

I live in Alabama and I have been seeing National Guard trucks go by my house all day. I'm not sure where they are all going, but there have been lots of them.

[roundabout]

I really am not getting the whole 'I'm going to stay here and stick it out' thing. If you guess a place you are going to stay won't be the best place, or you are expecting electricity to go out, why wouldn't you just leave for a day or two to avoid serious risk? I rather leave for nothing than stay for something.

Well, regardless, the news says it is too late to leave NOLA now and Public Safety was told not to respond to requests for help. I really hope you remain safe.

[darylwi]

Everything in Baton Rouge is shut down now. The airport closes at midnight although I believe the last flight is heading out now.
Also, for those in the general area, WAFB just said they will simulcast on 100.7fm starting at 6am. This is good news to know in case power goes out. Of course there's always WJBO 1150am as well, which I do prefer. I'm sure WWL 870 in NOLA will provide its typical excellent coverage as well.
I imagine the window of opportunity to evacuate has come and gone in NOLA. Best thing to do now is hunker down.
We had some small tornados just go through between BTR and Hammond, one somewhere around Blue Bayou Waterpark (they said Highland at Perkins). It's probably best not to be out on the road at all anymore.
People are being told to expect a pretty decent storm surge through Lake Maurepas and up the Amite and Blind Rivers. That covers most of Ascension and lower Livingston. It is amazing how far that water can go inland, especially when the terrain is so flat.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by darylwi

Everything in Baton Rouge is shut down now. The airport closes at midnight although I believe the last flight is heading out now.
Also, for those in the general area, WAFB just said they will simulcast on 100.7fm starting at 6am. This is good news to know in case power goes out. Of course there's always WJBO 1150am as well, which I do prefer. I'm sure WWL 870 in NOLA will provide its typical excellent coverage as well.
I imagine the window of opportunity to evacuate has come and gone in NOLA. Best thing to do now is hunker down.
We had some small tornados just go through between BTR and Hammond, one somewhere around Blue Bayou Waterpark (they said Highland at Perkins). It's probably best not to be out on the road at all anymore.
People are being told to expect a pretty decent storm surge through Lake Maurepas and up the Amite and Blind Rivers. That covers most of Ascension and lower Livingston. It is amazing how far that water can go inland, especially when the terrain is so flat.

Great info - keep posting if you are able! Hope you don't lose your power for too long and that the winds aren't too scary!!!