Also see: Jackpedia: Hurricane Gustav to get/post vital information.
Hurricane Gustav weakened to a Category 2 storm overnight, according to a National Weather Service, as it makes its way toward land just southwest of North Orleans by mid-day. It is still “extremely dangerous,” especially its storm surges, which will go 10 to 14 feet above normal tide levels. The Times-Picayune is reporting now that the Industrial Canal there is filling with water, and has “pushed water in the Industrial Canal over the levee in the Upper 9th Ward opposite where the levee broke during Hurricane Katrina. The Sun-Herald in Biloxi reporting at 8:45 a.m. that Highway 90 is under water:
Water is breaching U.S. 90 up and down the Coast. It is no longer passable and in some areas, water not only has covered the eastbound lanes but the westbound lanes as well. Water was across both lanes at Edgewater Mall. Law enforcement officials are out in force and winds are beginning to pick up and gusts are blowing debris across roadways.
The Sun-Herald is reporting flooding in Hancock County as well, so far on the beachfront and along the river roads. In Bay St. Louis, North Beach at Dunbar Avenue is flooded.
One of the current serious threats are tornadoes throughout the region. Reports of tornadoes were called in on the Coast and at least on tornado warning was issues in Gulfport. The Coast has suffered some power outages, but so far, crews have been able to get out and work on restoring power.
At this stage, authorities say it is too late to evacuate; that anyone still on the Coast should remain inside and hunkered down.
More as the hurricane nears landfall.
