Hurricane Gustav Continues March To Gulf

71 Dead In Caribbean; New Orleans Considers Evacuation As Potential Cat. 3 Hurricane Looms

(CBS/ AP)  Gustav became a hurricane again on Friday and moved through the Cayman Islands, the start of a buildup that could take it to the U.S. Gulf Coast as a fearsome Category-3 storm three years after Hurricane Katrina.

Gustav, which killed 71 people in the Caribbean, on Friday evening reached the Cayman Islands, a tiny offshore tax haven studded with resorts and cruise-ship souvenir shops, on track to next hit Cuba's cigar country and heading into the Gulf of Mexico by Sunday.

Well-heeled tourists fled Cayman hotels by air, while Katrina victims in Mississippi still living in emergency cottages and trailers were told to evacuate beginning this weekend.

Hotels on the Cayman Islands asked guests to leave, then after the airport closed prepared to shelter those who remained. Chris Smith, of Frederick, Maryland, said his hotel handed out wrist bands marked with guests' names and room numbers so that "if something happens they can quickly identify us."

"That was a little bit sobering," he said, standing outside the hotel with his luggage.

About 20 islanders waited for the storm in a high school gym.

"If people give you a shelter, you should take it," said Pamela Hall, 52.

The storm killed four people in a day-long march across the length of Jamaica, where it ripped off roofs and downed power lines. About 4,000 people were displaced from their homes, with about half relocated to shelters.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said the government sent army helicopters Friday to rescue 31 people trapped by floods. At least 59 people died in Haiti and eight in the Dominican Republic.

Western Cuba is bracing for the expected assault by Gustav which could be a category 2 or 3 hurricane by the time it crosses the Isle of Youth, south of Havana, Saturday before hitting the famed cigar territory of Pinar del Rio, reports CBS News producer Portia Siegelbaum.

Cuban TV reports that over 12,000 residents of Pinar del Rio are being evacuated Friday night. The tobacco harvest has been moved to safe locations and the population is doing the best it can to secure the roofs of their home-palm thatched roofs are being tied down with rope in the hope of preventing them from being blown out.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Gustav could grow to a Category 3 storm, with winds above 111 mph, by the time it hits the U.S. Gulf coast next week. Gustav could strike anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to Texas, but forecasters said there is a better-than-even chance that New Orleans will get slammed by at least tropical-storm-force winds.

As much as 80 percent of the Gulf of Mexico's oil and gas production could be shut down as a precaution if Gustav enters as a major storm, weather research firm Planalytics predicted. Oil companies have already evacuated hundreds of workers from offshore platforms.

Retail gas prices rose Friday for the first time in 43 days as analysts warned that a direct hit on Gulf energy infrastructure could send pump prices hurtling toward $5 a gallon. Crude oil prices ended slightly lower in a volatile session as some traders feared supply disruptions and others bet the government will release supplies from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Late Friday night, Gustav was centered 25 miles west-southwest of Little Cayman Island, moving northwest near 10 mph. The hurricane center said top winds were to near 80 mph.

"Gustav could become a major hurricane near the time it crosses western Cuba," the hurricane center said.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Hanna was projected to curl westward into the Bahamas by early next week. It had sustained winds near 50 mph.

Along the U.S. Gulf Coast, most commemorations of the Katrina anniversary were canceled because of Gustav, but in New Orleans a horse-drawn carriage took the bodies of Katrina's last seven unclaimed victims to burial.

In St. Tammany parish, people are already fortifying their homes with sandbags, lining up for gas, buying water and generators and some are heading for higher ground, reports CBS News correspondent Hari Sreenivasan.

President Bush declared an emergency in Louisiana, a move that allows the federal government to coordinate disaster relief and provide assistance in storm-affected areas.

The U.S. Navy has put an amphibious task force consisting of three ships on alert in Norfolk, Va., about three days from the Gulf Coast, reports CBS News correspondent David Martin. A similar force was sent to New Orleans after Katrina to provide helicopters and medical care.

Republican officials said yesterday that they are considering delaying the start of the GOP convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul because of Gustav, according to the Washington Post.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said an evacuation order was likely, though not before Saturday, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it expects a "huge number" of Gulf Coast residents will be told to leave the region this weekend.

Closer to the storm, workers at the Westin Causarina Hotel on Grand Cayman island shored up ground-floor rooms with sandbags.

"We've taken in all the balcony furniture, all the pool furniture, the marquees, tied up what needs to be tied up, cut down any coconuts," said hotel manager Dan Szydlowski.

Thunderstorms associated with Gustav already were bringing heavy downpours Friday to parts of central Cuba and evacuations were ordered in flood-prone areas.

Authorities in the tobacco-rich western Cuba, where Gustav is expected to cross the island, hauled 465,000 sacks of tobacco to higher ground for safekeeping and began distributing extra rations of milk and bread.

[rplat]

Everybody get out your checkbooks because they''ll soon be screaming for more debit cards an free housing . . . and that''s not cynicism it''s simple fact.

[xmanborg]

Here comes Gustav

Gulf Coast Residents will be getting a visit from good old George W. Douschbag and John McLame after Gustav causes major damage. Its a way for the Republican Party and Bushie to ACT like they care about Gulf Coast Residents, but its all P.R and LIP SERVICE. They are just trying to SAVE FACE because they did such a bang up job 3 years ago in New Orleans.

George W. Bush and His Administration and The Republican Party dont care about the Gulf Coast or New Orleans or Black People so dont let his ACT Bushies FAKE ACT FOOL YOU.

[blamegovt]

Here comes Gustav

Gulf Coast Residents will be getting a visit from good old George W. Douschbag and John McLame after Gustav causes major damage. Its a way for the Republican Party and Bushie to ACT like they care about Gulf Coast Residents, but its all P.R and LIP SERVICE. They are just trying to SAVE FACE because they did such a bang up job 3 years ago in New Orleans.

George W. Bush and His Administration and The Republican Party dont care about the Gulf Coast or New Orleans or Black People so dont let his ACT Bushies FAKE ACT FOOL YOU.
------------------------
Posted by XmanBorg

Actually it will be funny to watch the Residents of Chocolate City start their own LOOT FEST again. Police should shoot on site this time. No questions.

[usclimey]

The constitution needs to have limitations on what the worthless lib media says because they just love to tell of tragedy''''s that happen, they should all be deported to China, worthless thugs.

Posted by zgomer

goober - let us know when you manage to repeal the 1st amendment - those of us with a positive IQ will be right on your tail repealing the 2nd. In the meatime Gustav''s way too far away to be tolling New Orleans'' death knell just yet.

[usclimey]

people like xmanborg is why most believe that liberalism is a birth defect.

Posted by jamesm12341

I always thought that conservatism was the birth defect. The human mind is designed to think forwards and come up with new ideas. Conservatives think backwards and wish things were like they were years ago. As I said, a completely unnatural viewpoint.

[witchsince91]

I HOPE PEOPLE WILL PREPARE,......


BUT,


I BET THEY WILL NOT.

WHY,..BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A MULTIGENERATIONAL WELFARE CLASS,..THAT IS TO SAY,.. 17 YEAR OLD GIRL AFTER 17 YEAR OLD GIRL HAVING KIDS OUT OF WEDLOCK(OR EVEN OUT OF COMMON-LAW SITUATIONS FOR THAT MATTER), YOU HAVE A CLASS OF PEOPLE THAT KNOW NO OTHER LIFE THAN THAT OF STAYING AT THE "TEET" OF MOTHER-GOVT-USA.

I''M 100% SURE THAT IF THE STORM DOES CREATE ANOTHER NEW ORLEANS DISASTER, YOU''LL SEE THE SAME PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREETS STEALING TENNIS-SHOES AND T.V''S. HA,..THEY DONT EVEN HAVE THE BRAINS TO AT LEAST STEAL FOOD AND WATER.

I HOPE I''M WRONG,..BUT I DOUBT THERE IS EVEN ONE SINGLE WELFARE-FOLK IN NEW ORLEANS TODAY WHO IS PLANING TO STOCK UP WITH AT LEAST ONE EXTRA CAN OF BEANS. SAD SAD SAD.

[rf35]

people like xmanborg is why most (conservatives) believe that liberalism is a birth defect.
Posted by jamesm12341

And people like zgomer are why most believe that conservativism is a birth defect. As a moderate, I pretty much think anyone on the far side of left or right is cracked.

[ukgod1]

+ report abuse
God is gearing this one up to smite a whole lot of sinners! Go God! Smite those sinners!

Posted by gop_forever at 01:34 PM : Aug 28, 2008

LAMO ROTF you religious nuts are insane!!!

[kittykatty2]

i don''t know what political affiliation xmanborg is, and it doesn''t really matter. the facts speak for themselves. bush and the feds did nothing for the people of new orleans immediately following katrina...they still haven''t done a whole lot since. it doesn''t take a rocket scientist to interpret what is staring you in the face. xmanborg, you are right.

[tothestars2]

50,000 people have been evacuated from low lying areas in cuba? Good lord, you mean the communists have more sense than democrat Nagin?

[docpeter-2009]

God is gearing this one up to smite a whole lot of sinners! Go God! Smite those sinners!

Posted by gop_forever at 01:34 PM : Aug 28, 2008
---------

LAMO ROTF you religious nuts are insane!!!

Posted by ukgod1 at 02:19 PM : Aug 28, 2008
___________________
Naw, I finally decided that gop_forever is in dire need of attention and these blogging sites are the only way he/she can communicate with the outside world of their own paranoid reality.

[xmanborg]

Get Ready Gulf Coast for Gustav.

Next week George W. Douschbag and McLame will go down to the Gulf Coast and ACT ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THE GULF COAST RESIDENTS.

Thats a good one: The Republican Party Concerned about the Gulf Coast or New Orleans

Watch the News next week after Gustav causes major damage George W McDouschbag and John McLame will act all concerned about the South and the Gulf Coast.

Its all just more P.R and B.S and Lip Service from the Republican Party and the Bushie Administration.

[docpeter-2009]

Get Ready Gulf Coast for Gustav.

Next week George W. Douschbag and McLame will go down to the Gulf Coast and ACT ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THE GULF COAST RESIDENTS.

Thats a good one: The Republican Party Concerned about the Gulf Coast or New Orleans

Watch the News next week after Gustav causes major damage George W McDouschbag and John McLame will act all concerned about the South and the Gulf Coast.

Its all just more P.R and B.S and Lip Service from the Republican Party and the Bushie Administration.

Posted by XmanBorg at 03:08 PM : Aug 28, 2008
________________
Do you really think they will leave the RNC party to go to N.O.?

[docpeter-2009]

Nothing has gone right for the Republicans so far, why should they now. Maybe God hates the Republicans?

Posted by koko98 at 02:58 PM : Aug 28, 2008
_____________________

Now you done it! Thems is fightin words for gop_forever. You/we will never hear the end of this now.

[bobnjersey]

[usclimey, you''''re an idiot. While Jamesm12341''''s comment was also idiotic, you''''re from the party that claims to know better. Stop being an idiot.]
[Posted by unfrgvn82 at 01:53 PM : Aug 28, 2008]

while references to ''birth defect'' may be a bit ''over the top'', the extreme forms of conservatism are considered by some to be a personality ''characteristic'' (to be kind). it is, as most political/world view pre-dispositions are, based in the human psyche, and it''s known as authoritarianism.

those who are traditional conservatives should be aware of, and concerned about those of this persausion, for the auth followers and their leaders are a potential threat to the core democratic principles this country was founded on ... and upon which all else is based upon.

many of those that gwb has (and still has) surrounded himself with are classic examples of auth leaders. nearly all of his remaining supporters are auth followers.

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/

[deacon20081]

God is gearing this one up to smite a whole lot of sinners! Go God! Smite those sinners!

Posted by gop_forever at 01:34 PM : Aug 28, 2008
---------

LAMO ROTF you religious nuts are insane!!!

Posted by ukgod1 at 02:19 PM : Aug 28, 2008
___________________
Naw, I finally decided that gop_forever is in dire need of attention and these blogging sites are the only way he/she can communicate with the outside world of their own paranoid reality.
Posted by docpeter
----------------------------------------------------

Think Gop_forever is a frustrated Republican soccer mom? Or possibly some dear soul in need of their meds.
Or both?

[vranger]

"Next week George W. Douschbag and McLame"

You know, ALL of the people I know gave up name alteration as a conversational tactic when they were about 9 to 13 years old.

Why these morons think that we can have any respect for anything else they have to say when they''ve already stamped "I''m a moron with the social skills of a 10 year old" all over their comment, is beyond me!

ROFL (yes, I''m laughing AT you)

[shanev137]

Just watch....gas will go up $1 a gallon overnight like it did when Katrina hit.

[deacon20081]

I wonder if Nagin and his totally corrupt police force will try to take citizens guns away from them Again. How many were stolen and never recovered after they were siezed?

[vranger]

"Think Gop_forever is a frustrated Republican soccer mom? Or possibly some dear soul in need of their meds."

Nope, I''ve seen GOP_forever''s posts for weeks in these political comments. He/she is not a Republican, he/she is a DNC support writing these lame posts in an attempt to make people thing that Republicans actually think like that ... but we don''t.

That is one sad and sick individual either way though, I absolutely agree.

[vranger]

"what did governor do ? what did mayor do?/ more important, what did the people do? you can''''t go thru life expecting the feds to take care of you....no matter what party is in charge."

Exactly. I''ve bought two houses in my 27 years of home ownership. BOTH were up a substantial hill. ;-)

In Katrina, an unparalleled situation occured that was beyond what FEMA was ready for, and it was just as ill prepared (or worse) for that situation when Clinton was President. Blaming that on Bush is the province of the ignorant.

[jubileeal]

This article was about a possible hurricane coming to the Gulf Coast... not politics. It mentioned people losing their lives and the devastation that a natural disaster can cause. But no one has mentioned any concern for them... or anything about the possible damage this storm could cause. All of the previous comments have taken a shot at either the Democrats or Republicans... When something like Katrina happens, does it really matter? I honestly don''t think that anyone in our government in either party wants a major hurricane to come to the Gulf Coast... but it sounds like you guys do just to see what will happen in politics. You are the ones who disgust me.

Let me guess... none of you are from the Gulf Coast.

[jubileeal]

This article was about a possible hurricane coming to the Gulf Coast... not politics. It mentioned people losing their lives and the devastation that a natural disaster can cause. But no one has mentioned any concern for them... or anything about the possible damage this storm could cause. All of the previous comments have taken a shot at either the Democrats or Republicans... When something like Katrina happens, does it really matter? I honestly don''t think that anyone in our government in either party wants a major hurricane to come to the Gulf Coast... but it sounds like you guys do just to see what will happen in politics. You are the ones who disgust me.

Let me guess... none of you are from the Gulf Coast.

[donevis-2009]

This is what the drive by''''s live for, to say that the oil platform workers are being evacuated so that they will let all know that the price of oil will go up a bunch and that this could hit LA again and blame it on the GOP''''s for soemthing when they forgot that they now have a repub Gov. there so it will blow up in there worthless faces. The constitution needs to have limitations on what the worthless lib media says because they just love to tell of tragedy''''s that happen, they should all be deported to China, worthless thugs.

Posted by zgomer at 01:15 PM : Aug 28, 2008

I consider myself a good reader and listener. However sir I can''t seem to grasp what your trying to convey in this post. Whole lotta good ranting though.

[haoli25]

I''ll bet they are rolling some FAT ones in Jamaica right about now.

[shanev137]

people losing their lives and the devastation that a natural disaster can cause.

----------

Why should I feel sorry for people who are seriously dumb enough to live in the path of hurricanes?

[jubileeal]

now i am really disgusted. dumb enough to live in it''s path? are you really that ignorant... seriously, there could be a natural disaster anywhere in the united states. at least with hurricanes, we know they are coming.

trust me, we don''t want your pity...just don''t vacation here.

[drinuk]

Here we go again, don''t the bloody oil companies just love a natural disaster threat. Just as they are running out of excuses for whacking up the prices, God goes and gives ''em a gem ! Time as come to Nationalise the bloody stuff, same with electric and gas, it is a PUBLIC utility, it''s ours !

[displeased]

Why should I feel sorry for people who are seriously dumb enough to live in the path of hurricanes?
Posted by shanev137

I don''t think anybody is asking you to feel sorry for them. But either way, when your home is destroyed by a natural disaster, nobody will feel sorry for you either.

[sistatee-2009]

I''m movin'' to the Big Sleazy so I can get me one of them FEMA trailers. Then I''m movin'' it to a gated-community in Beverly Hills. And pretty soon I''ll be sayin'' "Hi neighbor!"

[chyenna-2009]

People have known for hundreds of years that florida and the gulf are in the direct paths of hurricanes. Yes, there are other natural disaster in our conutry but never as constant as during hurriane season. People should never have been allowed to build their homes and businesses on the coasts. Helloooo, people, you put yourselves in danger every year. You know your in areas that frequently get slammed by hurricanes. And who is picking up the tab everytime this happens? My friend in Florida has to pay an additional $400 a month for one year, to her homeowners insurance company because homes and business located too close to the coast were destroyed. She didn''t sustain damage to her home but paying $4800.00 extra a year to help these idiots rebuild their lives, SUCKS. The rest of the country SHOULD NOT have to KEEP shelling out our money so the beach lovers can rebuild and rebuild and rebuild. Move your azzes out of the way and stay out of our pocketbooks.

[maedean]

On Wednesday, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency and asked President Bush to make a "pre-landfall" disaster declaration. HOW ABOUT THEY WAIT UNTIL THE HURRICANE HITS BEFORE THEY STICK THERE HANDS OUT AGAIN AND THINK IT IS UP TO OUR GOVERMENT TO PAY FOR THERE SORRY ASSSSES FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS!!!!

[lloydbest1]

As of 1400 EDT, 28 August 2008:

Gustav is still a tropical storm nearing minimal Cat 1 hurricane strength. Sustained winds are 70 mph. Central pressure is 983 mb or (in English) 29.03 inches. Storm''s still moving westerly at 5 mph, seriously whizzing on Jamaica.
There has been little change in its projected path from updates earlier in the day. Most PROBABLE path still takes it straight into Terrebonne and St. Mary Parishes, less than 60 miles from the Big Easy, but this far out it could hit anywhere along the gulf from Corpus Christi clear to Apalachicola.
At this point it is still a wuss storm but it is headed into some VERY warm water that, in addition remains warm to a considerable depth. With all that heat energy available and diminishing wind shear that was pretty anemic to start with, Gustav is virtually certain to develop into a hurricane of up to Cat 3 strength.
Now is the time to start making plans. A lot can happen between now and Tuesday; we can hope Gustav will simply go away, but that''s not likely to happen. In four days one can cover a lot of ground even on foot. Get your more mobile neighbors to help. There are at least a quarter million folks left over from the last diaspora who have not returned home; maybe they can provide a space or lend a hand.
It''s an individual choice. Go or stay. But if N.O. draws the short straw again it will get ugly.

[displeased]

My friend in Florida has to pay an additional $400 a month for one year, to her homeowners insurance company because homes and business located too close to the coast were destroyed. She didn''''t sustain damage to her home but paying $4800.00 extra a year to help these idiots rebuild their lives, SUCKS.
Posted by chyenna

Hey, they got to pay the price to live in paradise. I know people who are trying to move out of Florida for the same reason. They''ve been trying for two years but there are 6000 other houses for sale in their county. They''re going to be stuck there for a while.

[nolalou]

On Wednesday, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency and asked President Bush to make a "pre-landfall" disaster declaration. HOW ABOUT THEY WAIT UNTIL THE HURRICANE HITS BEFORE THEY STICK THERE HANDS OUT AGAIN AND THINK IT IS UP TO OUR GOVERMENT TO PAY FOR THERE SORRY ASSSSES FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS!!!!
Posted by maedean


This is not about sticking out hands out! A governor needs a federal declaration of an emergency in order to mobilize national guard, commandeer buses for evacuations, and make use of federal resources to get people out of harms way! Our last governor was criticized for waiting to long to ask for a declaration of a ''State of Emergency'', which gives the governor powers he or she needs to act in advance of a storm, not after it''s already hit!
So you can take your arrogant tone, and SHOVE IT! I went through Katrina and I D-AMN WELL KNOW WHAT I''M TALKING ABOUT WHILE IDIOTS LIKE YOU DON"T HAVE A F-ing clue!

[brundage3]

CBS and other News outlets should discontinue there posting venues UNLESS they are willing to apply the AT LEAST the same rules of accuracy and Journalistic ethics that most major news papers use in their editorial pages.

A lot of folks may rage at this suggestion. Some may claim that tthe newspaper Do NOT apply good ehtics rules. Few will bother to research, study,,, (God forbid) actually READ succh ethics policies as those of the major city newspaper nearest to them.

That assumed,,, CBS and other web sites should apply them. Allowing these posts is not allowing us to utilize our constitutional right to free speech. We can do that without these sites. Shame on CBS for this stuff.

[shanev137]

Why should I feel sorry for people who are seriously dumb enough to live in the path of hurricanes?
Posted by shanev137

I don''''t think anybody is asking you to feel sorry for them. But either way, when your home is destroyed by a natural disaster, nobody will feel sorry for you either.

Posted by Displeased at 04:57 PM : Aug 28, 2008

----------


I''m not dumb enough to build a house where major natural disasters happen.

There actually are places like that in the US if you have the capacity to think about it.

I''m sorry you folks aren''t smart enough to figure it out yet.

[hbevis]

I''''m not dumb enough to build a house where major natural disasters happen.

There actually are places like that in the US if you have the capacity to think about it.

I''''m sorry you folks aren''''t smart enough to figure it out yet.

Posted by shanev137 at 06:18 PM : Aug 28, 2008

This above is a crazy post. There is not many places in the world that you can''t get hurt or killed by some kind of natural disaster. So, lighten up and try and live with fact that there are millions of people that live where they can get hurt or killed. The people in this world always turn out to help the ones that have been hit.

[shanev137]

There is not many places in the world that you can''''t get hurt or killed by some kind of natural disaster.

------------

You''re obviously another really dumb person who needs to get out more and start looking at natural disaster deaths and property damage statistics by region in the US.

Why do you think it''s almost impossible to buy homeowners insurance in the gulf states and lower Atlantic seaboard states?

Like I said, I''m sorry you can''t figure it out yet.

[haoli25]

O

[displeased]

You''''re obviously another really dumb person who needs to get out more and start looking at natural disaster deaths and property damage statistics by region in the US.
Posted by shanev137

And where do you expect the 19 million in Florida to move? That''s not counting the millions along the other coasts. Maybe we can stick them in tornado alley. Or out west with the fires and earthquakes. Maybe some day you''ll be realistic.

[hbevis]

shanev137 at 06:54 PM : Aug 28, 2008

A perfect "0" tell the tale on writing like this......

[hbevis]

O

Posted by haoli25 at 07:59 PM : Aug 28, 2008

Great POST..........:-)

[hbevis]

And how about snow and ice storms in the mid-west and in the north???? Some times there is no power for days and days when something like this happens.

[pammelota]

I''ve lived in Louisiana all my life and have seen Andrew and many other storms destoy property. My mom still remembers Camile and Betsy. It''s a way of life along the gulf. Everyone living this close should know that you GET OUT when they come and pick up the pieces when once their gone. I am sorry to say that the only reason Katrina got the response it did was because it hit THERE. Noone remembers the towns swept of the map from the storm one year later because it wasn''t New Orleans. Those people have started rebuilding and even though you can still find library books caught in bushes a mile from where the library once stood you won''t hear anything about it. That''s a shame! Will people care if this one misses New Orleans or will they just say oh it was just another hurricane?

[shanev137]

Like I said, you''d think most people would have learned something after Katrina.....obviously not.

By the way.....snow storms and rain storms don''t flatten your house to the ground.

Check out this graph, if you''re smart enough to cut and paste a link.


http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/reports/billion/billion2007.pdf

The U.S. has sustained 78 weather related disasters over the last 28 years with overall damages/costs exceeding $1.0 billion for each event. 66 of the disasters occurred during or after 1990. Total costs for the 78 events were $600 billion using a GNP inflation index......half of that was hurricane related.

[hbevis]

shanev137 at 09:09 PM : Aug 28, 2008

Like I said.........perfect "0"

[oneworldusa]

Evacuation plans still need to improve. Days and days of gridlocked traffic wastes time, fuel and safety.

But, if one lives in a hurricane-prone area, either you leave or suffer the consequences until help can safely arrive.

[jodyrae4]

Where''s Nagin? Haven''t heard anything from him?

[sly_64]

It''s stuff like this that makes life interesting. I grew up in NJ and now live in Florida and I look forward to these storms. They are a wake up call.