New Orleans Eyes Gustav, Readies Evacuation Plans

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.

(More New Orleans stories.)