August 30, 2008

Hurricane Gustav nears as residents flee

As Hurricane Gustav strengthened to a Category 3 storm after it went through the Cayman Islands toward Cuba, many residents headed inland, away from the hurricane's forecasted track.

In Plaquemines Parish, where Katrina roared ashore as a Category 3 storm days after its initial landfall in Florida, Parish President Billy Nungesser called for a mandatory evacuation beginning Saturday at noon local time.

"As soon as it's safe to come back in, we will reopen the parish," he said on Saturday. "We hope they take that warning."

Gustav neared Cuba's western tip Saturday, packing winds close to 120 mph. The storm could reach the U.S. Gulf coast late Monday or Tuesday, as a Category 3 or strengthen to a Category 4.