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Gustav Now a Cat 3 Hurricane

Hurricane builds strength as it heads towards Cuba, Gulf Coast

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 30, 2008 8:02 AM CDT

(AP) – Gustav swelled to a fearsome Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph as it neared Cuba early today, the AP reports. The storm, which killed 71 people in the Caribbean, rolled over the Cayman Islands last night, with fierce winds that tore down trees and power lines, but there was little flooding. Gustav could strike the Gulf Coast anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to Texas, but forecasters said there is a better-than-even chance that New Orleans will get slammed.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said an evacuation order was likely as Gustav heads toward the Gulf Coast, and FEMA said it expects a "huge number" of Gulf Coast residents will be told to leave the region this weekend.

A home is seen fallen into a swollen river caused by Tropical Storm Gustav in Kingston, Jamaica, Fri., Aug 29, 2008. (Collin Reid)

This image provided by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center taken at 2:15 p.m. EDT Friday Aug. 29, 2008 shows Hurricane Gustav. at 2 a.m. EDT Saturday, Gustav was centered about 50 miles northeast of Grand... (AP Photo/NASA)

A car drives across a flooded road caused by Tropical Storm Gustav in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Collin Reid)

The bodies of two people who were killed when their home was destroyed by Tropical Storm Gustav are transported to a truck in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Deadly Gustav drenched Jamaica... (AP Photo/Collin Reid)

Residents stand on what remains of a collapsed bridge that was destroyed by Tropical Storm Gustav in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Deadly Gustav drenched Jamaica and menaced the Cayman Islands... (AP Photo/Collin Reid)

The bodies of two people who were killed when their home was destroyed by Tropical Storm Gustav lie covered on stretchers in the back of a truck in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Collin Reid)

Residents watch a bridge that collapsed due to heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Gustav in Kingston, Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. Gustav ripped off roofs, downed power lines and pounded rain into Jamaica,... (AP Photo/Collin Reid)

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Gustav Now a Cat 3 Hurricane

Hurricane builds strength as it heads towards Cuba, Gulf Coast

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New Orleans • severe weather • Cuba • Cayman Islands • hurricane • Gulf Coast • Hurricane Gustav

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Tropical Storms Nate, Maria Form

Nate expected to hit Mexico, while Maria churns in Caribbean

Tropical Storm Lee Plows Into La.

Flash flooding expected from drenching storm

32K Lose Power in Tropical Storm Lee

Rain totals along coast could reach 10 to 15 inches

Katia Strengthens Into Hurricane

But no prediction of where she'll make landfall

6 Die, 1.9M Lose Power as Irene Drenches Virginia

Hurricane Irene works her way north

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Gustav Now a Cat 3 Hurricane

Hurricane builds strength as it heads towards Cuba, Gulf Coast

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

New Orleans • severe weather • Cuba • Cayman Islands • hurricane • Gulf Coast • Hurricane Gustav

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Tropical Storms Nate, Maria Form

Nate expected to hit Mexico, while Maria churns in Caribbean

Tropical Storm Lee Plows Into La.

Flash flooding expected from drenching storm

32K Lose Power in Tropical Storm Lee

Rain totals along coast could reach 10 to 15 inches

Katia Strengthens Into Hurricane

But no prediction of where she'll make landfall

6 Die, 1.9M Lose Power as Irene Drenches Virginia

Hurricane Irene works her way north

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?