Gustav is winding up in the Gulf.. preparations are underway across the South.. Hurricane hunters watching for signs of the big storm becoming a Cat 5, something that is now expected in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.. Gustav's impact: Tides reaching at least 9-12 feet above normal and winds potentially of Category 3 status, or at least 111 mph, as it slams into the coastline of the Gulf.. Widespread flooding expected.. 6 to 12 inches of rain. .low line areas will be affected by the massive rains .. there will also be isolated tornadoes.. Tonight's hurricane watch statement to New Orleans appears eerily similar to Katrina three short years ago:

"A POTENTIAL STORM SURGE OF 15 TO 20 FEET WILL BE POSSIBLE NEAR AND TO THE RIGHT OF LOCATION OF LANDFALL OF HURRICANE GUSTAV. A STORM SURGE OF THIS MAGNITUDE COULD RESULT IN EXTENSIVE FLOODING AND POSE A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS WILL POTENTIALLY IMPACT COASTAL AREAS OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA DURING THE PRE DAWN HOURS MONDAY MORNING AND SPREAD INLAND ACROSS SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND ACROSS COASTAL MISSISSIPPI MONDAY MORNING. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE ALONG PORTIONS OF THE COAST BY MID MONDAY MORNING AND SPREAD INLAND TO SOME AREAS MONDAY AFTERNOON AND MONDAY NIGHT"

Labels: Breaking news, Gustav, hurricanes, Katrina, Storms, Weather