Gulf Coast prepares for Hurricane Gustav
Published Aug. 31, 2008
New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin ordered residents of the city to evacuate on Sunday morning in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.
Nagin said in a release that the hurricane is “likely to be larger and stronger” than Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the city in 2005.
According to the National Hurricane Center at 1 p.m. on Sunday, a hurricane warning was in effect for the northern Gulf Coast from Cameron, Louisiana to the Alabama-Florida border, which includes New Orleans. The warning, which came at 1 p.m. Sunday, means people in the area should expect hurricane-like conditions within 24 hours.
In a statement Sunday morning, President George Bush said he would not be attending the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, which was scheduled to begin tomorrow. Instead, he will travel to the Emergency Operations Center In Austin, Texas to meet with government officials, and then he will go San Antonio, where relief materials are being prepared for evacuees.
“This nation has come to know the strong and resilient spirit of the people of the Gulf Coast,” Bush said. “They've made it through great challenges in the past and they're going to make it through this one, as well. In the meantime, all those preparing for this storm are in our thoughts and our prayers from me and Laura and our whole nation.”
The Republican Party is suspending most of its convention schedule for Monday, John McCain announced later in the day.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency on Saturday in response to the approaching hurricane.
According to a release from the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, more than 10,000 residents had already been evacuated from the city by 6 a.m. on Sunday.
Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt announced on Saturday that shelters would be provided in Missouri for persons fleeing the Gulf Coast from the hurricane. Several aid organizations will be maintaining shelters and feeding operations in the Kansas City area, St. Joseph, Springfield, Cape Girardeau, the St. Louis area, Jefferson City and Hannibal.
Also on Saturday, Blunt ordered more than 500 members of Missouri National Guard to Louisiana to help with relief efforts.
“Missouri stands ready to help our neighbors in Louisiana as they work to overcome the challenges that accompany this storm,” Blunt said.
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