Hurricane Gustav is 'the real deal'

The evacuation of New Orleans began at 8 A.M., following a new evacuation plan drawn up after the aftereffects of Katrina left the ravaged City a virtual war zone in the wake of the storm with looters and lawlessness only adding to the devastation.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - "This is the real deal, not a test.... For everyone thinking they can ride this storm out, I have news for you: that will be one of the biggest mistakes you can make in your life" said Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans, Louisiana.

He ordered the residents of that City to evacuate ahead of Gustav, which the Mayor called the "storm of the century".It appears that unlike the experience of Katrina, this time, they are doing just that.

In what must seem like a bad dream to so many of these beleaguered residents of New Orleans, who have only just begun to get their lives back together after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina which occurred three years ago, almost to the day, the reports of the wrath of Gustav as it hit Cuba's western tip and gained speed has sent most New Orleans residents packing.

At 5 A.M., EDT on Sunday morning, the United States Hurricane Center reported that the category 3 storm was located 425 miles (680 kilometers) southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and moving northwest near 16 mph (26 kph).

The evacuation of New Orleans began at 8 A.M., following a new evacuation plan drawn up after the aftereffects of Katrina left the ravaged City a virtual war zone in the wake of the storm with looters and lawlessness only adding to the devastation.

The Mayor informed the residents that the City will not offer emergency services to those who stay behind. On Staurday alone, more than 1 million residents fled, emptying gas stations of fuel and leaving the city's main transit terminal jammed. 2,000 National Guard troops will arrive today. So will Michael Chertoff, the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain and his newly chosen Vice Presidential Running Mate, Governor Sarah Palin, are reportedly on their way to Mississippi, the coast of which is also right within the trajectory for this devastating hurricane.

Though the final decision was unavailable at the time of this report, most sources indicate that President Bush will not speak at the Republican convention. He was scheduled to do so Monday evening. Instead, he will travel to the area. In addition, some sources indicate that the presumptive nominee, John McCain may even deliver his acceptance speech by satellite, thereby enabling him to stay in the area.

Clearly, Gustav is the "real deal". It is making its mark on Labor Day weekend and may also do so on the history of Presidential nominating conventions. The plans for the Republican Presidential Nominating Convention are in flux.

People of faith throughout America and beyond are sending a cascade of prayer to the heavens on behalf of the residents of the areas in the path of the storm. Private and faith based agencies, having learned from the experience of Katrina, are also ready to help with a massive display of solidarity and care.

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