AccuWeather.com News Forecast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gustav vs. Katrina: Gustav Won't Follow in Katrina's Footsteps but is Still a Dangerous Storm for Louisiana
State College, Pa. -- August 31, 2008 -- The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Gustav is expected
to make landfall on Monday as at least a Category 3 storm, the same strength of Hurricane Katrina when it devastated the
region three years ago. However, it is unlikely to reach Category 5 strength as Hurricane Katrina had prior to landfall.
AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Carrie McCabe said in an interview, "Gustav has not reorganized as expected since passing
over Cuba, so it's really missed its opportunity to become a Category 5 storm. By way of contrast, Hurricane Katrina at
this point in its development had winds up to 170 mph. Hurricane Gustav is expected to achieve winds of 130mph by later
today. However, it remains a deadly storm." By later today or early Monday, Gustav may attain Category 4 strength, with
winds above 130 mph.
Gustav's trajectory has also changed, as a high pressure over the northeast has been turning the storm further to the
west away from New Orleans. It is now expected to make landfall between Lafourche Parish and Terrebonne Parish. However,
New Orleans' worries are far from over.
"Even without a direct hit, New Orleans could be in real danger. Typically, the northeast side of a hurricane receives
the brunt of the damage," McCabe said. "Southeast winds from Gustav could pile the water into Lake Pontchartrain and the
Mississippi River. Flooding and tornado warnings will be in effect."
At 10:00 a.m. EDT, Gustav was 325 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving northwest at about 17
mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph.
The strongest effects from Gustav will hammer areas to the east and north of the eye path. Six to 12 inches of rain with
locally higher amounts will lead to dangerous flooding. The storm surge from Gustav could be 9 to 12 feet above normal,
especially near the center of the storm.
ENDS