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New Orleans Eyes Gustav, Readies Evacuation Plans

Category 3 Gustav headed for the Gulf

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Aug 27, 2008 5:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – New Orleans has a wary eye on Tropical Storm Gustav and may begin evacuations as early as Friday—the third anniversary of Katrina. The storm's path could yet spare the city, but if it hits this weekend, Gov. Bobby Jindal said he wants to be ready, the Shreveport Times reports. He's put Louisiana's National Guard on alert and declared a state of emergency that would make 700 buses available for the most needy.

"Be ready," said Jindal. "This is a serious storm." Gustav was swirling near Haiti today and is forecast to hit northwestern parts of the Caribbean and Jamaica late Friday. Oil companies. meanwhile, are getting people off of rigs in the Gulf.

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Contractor Lawson "Sonny" Brannan discusses his plans for approaching storm Gustav in New Orleans, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Residents stand in front of houses destroyed by a landslide triggered by Gustav in Guachupita, Santo Domingo, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Two Haitian women walk through a flooded street during heavy rains caused by Hurricane Gustav in Leogan, southern Haiti, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

An inspector documents shoddy work at a New Orleans home rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A street in New Orleans is covered in heavy dried mud after Hurricane Rita struck in 2005. (AP Photo/Ric Francis,File)

New Orleans after Hurricane Rita in 2005. (Getty Images)

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Be ready. This is a serious storm. - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

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New Orleans Eyes Gustav, Readies Evacuation Plans