Gustav Sends Gulf Coast Residents Fleeing

Mandatory New Orleans Evacuations Ordered For Sunday Morning

(CBS/AP)  Gustav plowed toward mainland Cuba Saturday as a monstrous Category 4 hurricane while both Cubans and Americans scrambled to flee the path of the fast-growing storm

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city on Saturday, directing residents still recovering from the devastation left behind three years ago from Hurricane Katrina to flee from the approaching Hurricane Gustav.

Nagin said an informal evacuation that has taken place for days becomes mandatory at 8 a.m. Sunday on the city's west bank. It becomes mandatory on the east bank at noon.

Forecasters said Gustav was just short of becoming a top-scale Category 5 hurricane as it powered its way toward Cuba. Authorities evacuated at least 300,000 people across the country, including western communities, cities near Havana and on the Isla de la Juventud, or Isle of Youth, an island of 87,000 people south of mainland Cuba.

By late Saturday night, Gustav's eye had crossed over Cuba into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Gustav had weakened slightly, but was expected to regain strength on Sunday, possibly becoming a Category 5 hurricane with winds above 155 mph as it spins toward the U.S. coast, where it was expected to make landfall on Monday.

Gustav, ripped through the Isle of Youth, causing extensive damage, according to Ana Isa Delgado, head of Civil Defense on the island. Delgado said gusts of wind tossed parked cars and buses into the air leaving only twisted wrecks, ripped doors from their hinges, and carried off roofs and water tanks, reports CBS News producer Portia Siegelbaum

Even areas considered secure were severely damaged and streets are virtually blocked with downed trees and rubbish. There was flooding in some low-lying areas but not in the main cities. Several people have been hospitalized with storm related injuries but no one is critical and there are no reports of deaths.

The hurricane was projected to plow into the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico at full force Sunday, and make landfall along the U.S. coast anywhere from Texas to Mississippi as early as Monday afternoon, reports The Early Show weather anchor Dave Price. A hurricane watch was issued from Texas east to Florida, an area that includes New Orleans, which Hurricane Katrina devastated in 2005.

More than a million Americans took buses, trains, planes and cars as they streamed out of New Orleans and other coastal cities, where Katrina killed about 1,600 people.

Gustav already has killed 81 people by triggering floods and landslides in other Caribbean nations.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Gustav had sustained winds of 150 mph - with higher gusts - as the heart of the storm began hitting Cuba's outlying island province of Isla de Juventud, where officials cut power to many areas. (Visit CBSEyeMobile's Hurricane Center for more information on Gustav.)

In the Florida Keys, tropical storm warnings were posted in Monroe County from west of the Seven Mile Bridge westward to the Dry Tortugas.

Forecasters said there is a better-than-even chance that New Orleans will get slammed by the storm. That raised the likelihood people will have to flee, and the city suggested a full-scale mandatory evacuation call could come as soon as Sunday.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is scheduled to be in Louisiana Sunday morning to observe preparations in anticipation of the hurricane.

A day after marking the third anniversary of Katrina, thousands waited in line on a hot New Orleans day to board buses at the Union Passenger Terminal, reports CBS News correspondent Hari Sreenivasan, hoping to avoid a similar tragedy.

"You won't see any buses stranded this time," said Nagin. "You won't see people stranded in the Superdome. Every step that we've gone through this process, we've adjusted and we have a better plan now."

Evacuation plans will even include planes on standby Sunday, when New Orleans airport shuts down at 6 p.m, reports Sreenivasan.

Cars packed with clothes, boxes and pet carriers drove north among heavy traffic on Interstate 55, a major route out of the city. Gas stations around the city hummed. And nursing homes and hospitals began sending patients farther inland.

"I'm getting out of here. I can't take another hurricane," said Ramona Summers, 59, whose house flooded during Hurricane Katrina three years ago. She hurried to help friends gather their belongings. Her car was already packed for Gonzales, nearly 60 miles away to the west of New Orleans.

Joseph Jones Jr., 61, wore a towel over his head to block the sun. He'd been in line at the bus terminal for over two hours, but wasn't complaining. During Katrina, he had been stranded on a highway overpass.

"I don't like it. Going someplace you don't know, people you don't know," Jones said. "And then when you come back, is your house going to be OK?"

At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Nagin said buses and trains have already started moving residents out of the city, and urged those who are disabled, elderly or need medical help in leaving the area to register for help in accessing transportation to transit points.

Seventeen pick-ups points have been set up throughout the city where residents can board buses.

Authorities hoped to move 30,000 people. So far 20,000 people have registered for transportation, so many that pre-registration crashed the system, according to the mayor.

As of 1 p.m. this afternoon, according to Mayor Nagin, 1,100-1,200 people had been evacuated on 22 buses, most going to Shreveport or Alexandria. Another 1,500 people had boarded trains to Memphis.

"Once the storm gets into the Gulf, I think that's when we're going to see another surge (of people seeking to evacuate)," he said.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an executive order closing schools in central and north Louisiana Tuesday and Wednesday to free up shelter space and bus resources for local residents and residents in south Louisiana

In Mississippi, Governor Haley Barbour said he has agreed with Louisiana officials to open all four lanes of Mississippi interstates 55 and 59 to evacuees from Louisiana.

Barbour says the contraflow will take effect at 4 a.m. Sunday and run at least until midnight. He says hours could be extended if traffic remains heavy.

Earlier Saturday, Nagin told all tourists in the city it was time to leave.

"We need to get them out of the way so we can deal with our senior citizens and those who need our assistance," he added.

With tourism being the economic engine of the city, employing 69,000 people and generating $5 billion a year in spending, the evacuation of tourists carries a heavy economic toll on the city, reports CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston.

Police and firefighters were set to go street-to-street with bull horns over the weekend to help direct people where to go. Unlike Hurricane Katrina, there will be no shelter of last resort in the Superdome. The doors there will be locked.

Those among New Orleans' estimated 310,000 to 340,000 residents who ignore orders to leave accept "all responsibility for themselves and their loved ones," the city's emergency preparedness director, Jerry Sneed, has warned.

Though he strongly urged residents to leave, Nagin said a curfew would be imposed for those who stayed to watch over their property and possessions. "If you decide to stay, you will be required to stay inside of your property," he said.

He also said there would be double the number of police officers and National Guard prepared to patrol the streets once the storm hits. Fifteen Guardsmen are reported already in New Orleans.

"Emotionally can we handle it? I think there is a lot of fragileness about our psyche right now in this city," Nagin said. "I wouldn't be honest with you if I told you something different.

"It's going to be a tough but New Orleaneans are very resilient and they are very tough and we'll get through this."

[donnie5619]

Dig a trench around your house about a foot and half deep, maybe 2. And put in a tarp. Then bury the bottom of it. And when the water comes up pull up the tarp. You''ll have to hold it up with something though. Steel pegs or something.

[donnie5619]

Another thing is foam. You could build a temporary barrier with that expansion foam crankers put in people''s cars.

[mcvet-1]

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 09:29 AM : Aug 30, 2008

You know every time I think you bigoted fascist have hit rock bottom... you surprise me! Sieg Heil!!

[jerr11]

I say this time, put Bush, Cheney, and McCain in the Superdome, lock the doors and throw away the keys.

And wait for Gustav.

[skyk-2009]

I say this time, put Bush, Cheney, and McCain in the Superdome, lock the doors and throw away the keys.

And wait for Gustav.


Posted by jerr11 at 10:28 AM : Aug 30, 2008

LOL Well at least that way we won''t have to watch the Worst President in our history just fly over all the death and destruction as he travels to McSame and the eating of the Birthday Cake! Talk about not caring?? That ONE picture of McSame meeting Sir Lies-A-Lot at the Airport and them eating the Birthday Cake is one for the ages!

[skyk-2009]

Liberals thought GWB had the power to steer it to NO, why would the libs think BHO does''''nt.

I also have never seen a storm track 4 days out have a strait line right to NO. Would the leftist in the press and the NWS have there heart set on New Orleans again, kind of looks like it.

Posted by gunfighter51 at 09:39 AM : Aug 30, 2008

It''s hard to figure how anyone can be this uneducated in this nation. How anyone can look at the way the Horrible Person a few call a President acted during this time, when so many people were suffering and dying and try to blame them. It just staggers the mind to believe. WE elect a LEADER, he is supposed to be the leader of ALL the people. When the average person watches as that Leader puts TOTALLY Incompetent People in charge of a VITAL Program like FEMA and then tells us, in the face to that gross incompetence that the person who got that job is doing a fine job, then going to bed?? You have to wonder how far people like that will go in support of the "Party"! You sir are NOT American.. you don''t even have the right to claim to be an American.

[jng123-2009]

seriously, what is wrong with you sick, demented psychos? why does everything have to have a political and/or religious slant? you make me want to puke.

[xlib]

skyk-and what did nagin and blanco do when they had 4 days warning on Katrina?? Why did Bush have to beg blanco to call out the National Guard?? As for people suffering, well, seems to me the local and state elected DEMOCRAT officals are to blame for that.
There was an interview on one of the news channels with the NO 9th Ward community leader. When asked if there was a different plan of action this time around the BLACK woman said "Now we have a plan, we didn''t before" Whose fault was that???????

[lloydbest1]

"The entire Louisiana National Guard, over 7,000 members, was activated on Friday. Over 1,500 were sent to New Orleans to assist with evacuations and prevent looting."

It is one thing to shake a finger at those who could have left the last time and didn''t; but it is another entirely to wish destruction on a vunerable city and pray that Gustav wipes it off the map. All too many posts on threads related and previous to this one have called for exactly that.
In view of that angry mean spiritedness it is not unreasonable to expect that many more neanderthal types also wish the same erasure of the Big Easy and have remained silent.
That the levees will hold against Gustav''s onslaught is not a foregone conclusion; they might fail on their own. But at the same time neither is it unreasonable to suggest that an additional 1500 National Guardsmen be sent to New Orleans specifically to patrol the levee system in case some demented soul attempts to blow one open.

[slim1h2o]

Here''s my take on the whole New Orleans situation;

We need that port in operation, and we need people there to run it. Hence we do need some sort of city there to house the workers at the port, and all the infrastructure that goes along with a "smaller" city.

It''s high time that we allow the Mississippi to take back the portions of the city that is most vulnerable to flooding.

So, I guess what I am saying is, maybe we should downsize N.O.

I think it''s the downsizing that most people would agree with, and live with. At least we would be maintaining jobs in the area, and not wasting a bunch of money rebuilding every other year. And most importantly, it might create a protective buffer that''s been missing thru years of over development.

[cg37102006]

This is disturbing , especially right around the 3 year "anniversary" of Katrina. By the time it treks across the 80 degree plus water of the Gulf, it could be a cat 4 or 5 monster, just like Katrina. Let us all pray.

[erasmus81]

rebuildNOLA

I know you probably won''t see this, because you are probably getting ready to evacuate. But I think you should take my advice next time. DON''T rebuild. Put you money into RELOCATING. That is if you have any left. Good Luck!

[tpraskac]

Has anyone ever thought of why we couldnt just blow up the hurricane in mid air over the ocean. I mean just like a missile defense system . any ideas? would like some feedback on this.

[lewiston14]

Slim: I agree. No question in my mind that even after 3 years of drying out many of those low areas are still very toxic swamps. With all the chemicals and other stuff around can you picture what is in that dirt? No will be much smaller after those two famous words were muttered. A %u201Cchocolate city%u201D Not what the investors wanted to hear. What a perfect way for the money to say we are on a diet we do not eat chocolate anymore. That guy should have kept his mouth shut. If it get another direct hit its all over except a port and enough structure to support it and their going to have to throw beads somewhere else.

[erasmus81]

"Has anyone ever thought of why we couldnt just blow up the hurricane in mid air over the ocean. I mean just like a missile defense system . any ideas? would like some feedback on this." Posted by tpraskac at 12:17 PM : Aug 30, 2008

I was going to say that was an excellent idea but a hurricane isn''t like a tornado. It would work for a tornado, maybe.

[erasmus81]

"No question in my mind that even after 3 years of drying out many of those low areas are still very toxic swamps. With all the chemicals and other stuff around can you picture what is in that dirt?" Posted by lewiston14 at 12:18 PM : Aug 30, 2008j

This is what I tried telling someone the other day. She and her husband rebuilt their home there. I asked her about all the sewer and chemicals that would be in the soil. She told me that they had cleaned it all up. I told her that it wasn''t that long ago I heard Anderson Cooper saying that they still hadn''t finished cleaning it up. And there is no way that I believe that they have cleaned up all that soil.

[lewiston14]

Texas reached out to help what did they get in return. Murders rapes theft all way up. Hospital care a wreck. I dont think that is going to work again. Even NO locks the dome because people trashed it. Let them throw beads and king cakes in Cuba or Haiti

[slim1h2o]

Posted by lewiston14 at 12:18 PM : Aug 30, 2008

If memory serves me right, the downtown area, as well as the French Quarter didn''t flood. Just the outer(?) lying areas flooded. If we pulled the levies back so that those areas (downtown, and etc) could be protected, we could keep N.O. we could keep that city as vibrant part of our economy. And let''s face it, that port represents a good portion of our economy. Of course we might have to have some mandatory population controls, but that would make more sense than to keep rebuilding the area, year after year. We might as well concede to mother nature.

[erasmus81]

The people of New Orleans are under the delusion that the levees have been rebuilt stronger and better. The have been "repaired", NOT rebuilt.

[republic1776]

No shealter in N.O.
The Goverment learned their lesson last time.
The media feed into the false rumors about rape and murder in the Superdome
It was ALL FALSE!
Press is NEVER held accountable for causing crisis, make prices jump and stock crash on their liberal agena lies!

[libsluv2spit]

"Has anyone ever thought of why we couldnt just blow up the hurricane in mid air over the ocean. I mean just like a missile defense system . any ideas? would like some feedback on this." Posted by tpraskac at 12:17 PM : Aug 30, 2008

I was going to say that was an excellent idea but a hurricane isn''''t like a tornado. It would work for a tornado, maybe.

Posted by erasmus81 at 12:28 PM : Aug 30, 2008
+ report abuse

*********

MAYBE this means that we cannot really ''fix'' mother nature....new orleans tried it with thier levees..california tried it by ignoring it..like all natural disasters..all you can do is pretend that you have it contained..

[slim1h2o]

"Has anyone ever thought of why we couldnt just blow up the hurricane in mid air over the ocean. I mean just like a missile defense system . any ideas? would like some feedback on this." Posted by tpraskac at 12:17 PM : Aug 30, 2008




You''re not serious are you?

It wouldn''t work for a tornado either.

[underdogus87]

I mean just like a missile defense system . any ideas? would like some feedback on this. Posted by tpraskac ...go watch some more "Hollywood" movies,sheessh

[lewiston14]

erasmus81: Nobody cleaned up any of that goo. First where would they put it second now its lower in sea level then it was. Thats Bs if you read or hear that

[tpraskac]

I dont see why we cant blow up the EYE of the Hurricane We go to Mars etc I believe it is again about Money and Cleanup etc. FED UP

[lewiston14]

Forget the Nuke idea: First a hurricane would eat a nuke for lunch then there is that radioactivity the rains would bring onshore with it. That would juice things up a little

[tpraskac]

I am dead serious. I believe there is no wind within the eye therefore it can be blown to pieces thus removing any fear for the USA people who we love

[republic1776]

%u201CI was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven,%u201D Moore said, laughing. %u201CTo have it planned at the same time %u2013 that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for day one of the Republican Convention, up in the Twin Cities %u2013 at the top of the Mississippi River.%u201D
- Michael Moore 08/29/08

Liberals really do hate America and it''s Citizens!

[barbaraf4]

"New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin''s spokeswoman said buses and trains would begin Saturday taking the city''s estimated 30,000 residents who are disabled, elderly or need help leaving the area to shelters in central and northern Louisiana, as well as out of the state."
~~~~~~~~~~
I see plenty of quotes from Nagin''s spokeswoman. None directly from him. Did he and his posse already leave?

[tpraskac]

Reply was Live with nature not against it. I agree but in cases which is life threatening (gee common sense here) it is a good idea against mother nature if we have the resources and we do.

[lewiston14]

New Orleans should be returned to wetlands.

With respect I disagree. It can carry one if it changes, gets smaller and does not invite back any who made it such place to begin with.

[slim1h2o]

tpraskac at 12:51 PM : Aug 30, 2008

You do not understand the folly of your thinking.

Common sense is needed.

[tpraskac]

Evil is upon the people they would rather see horror than come up with solution to fix the problem Blow up the Eye and over with no problem .But no we americans want to see suffering and suspense as lon g as it makes us feel better that someone else is suffering. So i guess the Blowing up of the Eye is out of the question
Thanks folks

[lewiston14]

tpraskac I guess you just dont know just how big one one of these storms are

[tpraskac]

ok cbsfan enlighten me on pysics mr college. mr common sense.

[tpraskac]

ok cbsfan enlighten me on pysics mr college. mr common sense.

[tpraskac]

Doesnt matter how big the storms are there is always an eye and the eye can be blown up period.

[lewiston14]

Slim forgive him his bulb burned out

[slim1h2o]

the Blowing up of the Eye is out of the question
Thanks folks


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

Posted by tpraskac at 12:57 PM



Yes, it''s out of the question. Not because we want see suffering, it''s because it would take such sustained blast, that even all the explosives in the world wouldn''t put a dent into it.

And not to mention the fallout caused by using nuclear warheads, that the cure would certainly cause the destruction of man.

Most likely.

Again, you do not understand the folly of your thinking.

[underdogus87]

tpraskac ...go watch some more "Hollywood" movies

[tpraskac]

ok if blowing up is ineffective why not reverse the wind direction of the hurricane in the eye

[slim1h2o]

Slim forgive him his bulb burned out


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

Posted by lewiston14 at 01:01 PM : Aug 30, 2008


I understand what he wants to do, but it''s just one of those type of things that you learn with age. Somethings can''t be fixed.

So, with that,,I think he''s young, and very idealistic. Like we all were at one time, right?

[lewiston14]

ok if blowing up is ineffective why not reverse the wind direction of the hurricane in the eye

That would be a neet trick want to borrow my hair dryer

[slim1h2o]

ok if blowing up is ineffective why not reverse the wind direction of the hurricane in the eye


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

Posted by tpraskac at 01:05 PM : Aug 30, 2008


Ok,, now you are just being silly. How old are you? anyways?

[erasmus81]

"I believe there is no wind within the eye therefore it can be blown to pieces" Posted by tpraskac at 12:50 PM : Aug 30, 2008

A hurricane is just WAAAAY too big.

And it wouldn''t be the eye you would want to disrupt, it would be the outer air flow, wouldn''t it?

[tpraskac]

such as a jet engine you would take an enormous so called fan place in the eye and have it turn in opposite direction of the wind. now the wind as you know toward the eye is moving slower pace then at the end thus allowing it to be controlled

[erasmus81]

I don''t think tpraskac was thinking of a "nuclear" bomb. Were you?

[tpraskac]

22

[tpraskac]

of course not a nuke bomb no way

[tpraskac]

i am not being silly just comning up with ideas. Why not take a HUGE Fan like device or ceiling fan device and reverse the dirction of the wind within the eye. Of course you may say this guy is nuts but if we can go to mars i am sure we can come up with a device that is HUGE enough to fit within the eye and make the wind direction reverse direction thus forcing the hurricane to ease up and within a few hrs be harmless