Gustav downgraded to a Cat. 1 Hurricane as it Soaks Gulf Coast
(UPDATED: 14:54 PT, 9/01/08)?Hurricane Gustav, downgraded to a Category 1 storm Monday afternoon, continued to soak Louisiana and parts of Mississippi on its track northwest from the Gulf.
While waves continued to lap over the top of levees, the Army Corps of Engineers were "cautiously optimistic" that the walls would hold. There is still the concern over storm surge on the back end of the hurricane, so prayer is still needed.
(UPDATED: 010:21 AM PT, 9/01/08)?Weakening to a Category 2 Hurricane, but still packing wind gusts of 91 to 117 mph, Gustav slammed into land at about 10:30 local Monday, just southwest of New Orleans, in Houma. Though waves topped some levees, they were reported to be structurally sound.
(UPDATED: 01:00 AM PT, 9/01/08)?Almost 2 million people were reported evacuated from the Louisiana coast by Sunday, quite a different story from the Katrina scenario 3 years ago.
Gustav, which has already claimed at least 94 lives en route to its landfall on the Gulf Coast, is expected to hit early Monday morning. Newly rebuilt levees will be put to the test against the storm surge that will accompany the hurricane. Access the link provided for more information.
To track Gustav, and the season?s newest tropical storm; Hanna, CLICK HERE.
(UPDATED: 08:23 PT, 8/31/08)?**MANDATORY EVACUATION IN EFFECT** Although Hurricane Gustav slowed to a Category 3 on Sunday, it is still expected to strengthen again. It is reportedly moving faster than originally thought, and may make landfall on the Gulf Coast as early as Monday. Mandatory evacuation is in effect in New Orleans and areas of Mississippi. Check back for further updates.
(UPDATED: 10:38 PT, 8/30/08)?The latest report shows Hurricane Gustav rapidly gathering strength, and is now listed (according to FOXNews) as a Category 4 storm. By way of reference, Katrina was a "Cat. 3" when it hit New Orleans.
Voluntary evacuations have been in progress since yesterday on the Gulf Coast, and may soon become mandatory. Join BCN in praying that this storm will dissipate or change course, and for the protection of those on the Gulf Coast still recovering from Katrina.
(UPDATED: 13:25 PT, 8/29/08)?Gustav officially became a hurricane Friday afternoon, according to forecasters, and a report by FOXNews.com. The storm is expected to grow and is on track to slam Louisiana and the Gulf Coast early next week. Evacuations for those who need assistance have already begun.
(UPDATED: 7:15AM PT, 8/29/08)?Not yet a hurricane, but still threatening, Tropical Storm Gustav barrels past Jamaica, and continues to gather strength from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to become a hurricane; perhaps even a category 3 storm. Gustav?s predicted track seems to still be heading toward the Gulf Coast, and as memorials are attended to remember Hurricane Katrina?s victims 3 years ago, residents once again prepare to evacuate.
Check back for the latest updates as they come in.
