The news down here is all about Gustav. Although we are some 300+ miles northwest of New Orleans, we will almost certainly recieve at least flooding rainfall beginning Wednesday, and for multiple days, depending on how fast the system moves, once it goes ashore. Damaging winds of 60 mph are being forecast for the local area if the storm goes ashore at category 3 or 4.

Local shelters for evacuees are already full (2000+), and the steady stream of northbound traffic is being sent further north, west or east. Fortunately, preparations for this storm have been instructed by the history of Katrina and Rita. The state, local and national authorities appear to have done a good job in ramping up plalnning and resources for a storm like this.

That said, the residents who live down south of Interstate 10 stand a good chance of returning to widespread destruction. Everyone, please pray for these folks in what they are now dealing with and what they may be dealing with after the storm abates.

Robert