My source was activated on Aug 27th by LA Emergency Management and has gotten a grand total of one e-mail and one short phone call out since then.

Any exagerations or incorrect storm info are my bad, not my sources.

That said, LA Emergency Management folks have been looking at the sea tempurture curves here:

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/dataphod1/work/HHP/NEW/2008241at.jpg

and seeing a right trailing quarter hurricane strike disaster.

Please note that the exact term my source used was “laid waste.” Doing that in LA does not require a storm surge. High water tables, large trees, high winds and heavy rains combined with
(1) above ground electrical and communications infrastructure,
(2) Roads on bridges and causeways across swamp land, and
(3) lots of oil barge canals through most swamps south of Baton Rouge,
makes LA more vulnerable to hurricanes than a simple look at a map would indicate.

After Rita, high water table portions of Rural East Texas on the LA border were without electric power or land line phone service for weeks due to large fields of downed trees across roads and power lines, and that was without all the oil barge canals focusing flash floods and storm surges at transportation infrastucture.

Lay on to of that the traditional LA problems with political corruption causing sub-standard public infrastructure, and “laid waste” pretty much covers what LA Emergency Management expects.

As Tropical Storm Gustav Approaches, Coastal Residents Are Urged to Fill Fuel Tanks

In addition to stocking up on bottled water, non-perishable food items, first aid kits and cash, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is encouraging coastal residents to fill their tanks with fuel as Tropical Storm Gustav approaches the Texas Gulf Coast. While gasoline and diesel are expensive, this is a necessary step in preparing for landfall of the storm.

Hurricanes and tropical storms bring many fuel-related concerns. Prior to the storm, the Governor’s fuel team is pushing additional fuel supplies to the coast – but this additional supply may become more difficult to deliver if an evacuation order is issued and the roads become more congested. Because of this, it is important that coastal residents fill their tanks early, rather than wait. Additionally, winds from these storms are known to down power lines, which may prevent the pumping of gas from service station underground tanks until power is restored.

For information on Texas road conditions, call the Texas Travel Information Center (800-452-9292) or visit TxDOT’s website: http://www.txdot.gov. For information on responding to Tropical Storm Gustav, log on to Texas Online: http://www.texasonline.com/portal/tol/en/emergency.

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So, like I said, I’m curious where you got this info from. Thanks!

Louisiana Emergency Management internal storm forecasts project for Gustav to come ashore as a Cat 5, and to laying waste to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette…the three largest cities in Louisiana.

Maybe Emergency management folks there are just “worst casing” Gustav based on Katrina experience and that “super hot” pool of water current in the Gulf…but prayers for the people in the path of Gustav are very much in order.

We will know today because LA Emergency Management officials have to pull the trigger on evacuation in N’awlins and southern coastal parishes today for a Monday Gustav land fall.