This Guy Means Business

The north and western gulf coast needs to pay very close attention to this storm. It was upgraded to a Category 4 at about 1:30pm edt. That means winds at least 145mph.

Please consult your local emergency operation center websites and make sure you have an evacuation plan. Make sure if you’re not going to evacuate that you have stores of batteries, bottled water, blankets, canned food, and a battery operated radio. Make arrangements to find a shelter for your pet if you are evacuating and cannot take your animal(s) with you. Make sure you have full prescriptions.

I would expect that Gustav will be clear of Cuba some time tonight and then he’ll be in open water and any strength lost while over Cuba will more than likely be regained with room for increased strength before it makes a U.S. landfall.

Weather all along the gulf coast is being effected by this storm. The Florida Keys are getting hammered by wind and rains from the outer bands of Gustav and have at least another day of critical weather.

No matter where you are along the path of Gustav, be prepared and be safe. Be ready to help. While the storm threatens to do similar damage to the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts, be proactive at helping fellow residents.

I wish all good luck and will continue to post storm tracks and projected paths with any updates provided by weather.com. I also welcome any of my readers to send me links for residents along the gulf coast so that I can post them for easy reference.