Evacuation May Come Saturday, La. Gov. Warns

Some Louisiana residents could be evacuated Saturday ahead of Tropical Storm Gustav, which is expected to make landfall in the state Tuesday, Gov. Bobby Jindal said today. The storm, which could affect New Orleans, might produce damaging winds as early as Sunday, prompting the stepped-up preparations, the Times-Picayune reports. The Louisiana National Guard has been ordered to ready itself.

The Army Corps of Engineers intends to ride out the storm in Louisiana, in order to respond quickly. Hospitals and nursing homes are planning their own evacuations, with help from FEMA ambulances; patients must be removed if the storm achieves Category 3 hurricane status. The Guard has requested air assistance from other states, and the state seeks federal search and rescue teams. (More New Orleans stories.)