Evacuations Planned As Katrina Nears Coast

[steve2470]

http://tinyurl.com/8lfht

By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer
50 minutes ago

NEW ORLEANS - Low-lying Louisiana parishes called for evacuations Saturday and lines formed at gas stations in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina appeared to be taking aim at the region while gathering strength over the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico.


"This is not a test," New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin said at a news conference. He said he would probably ask people to leave at daybreak Sunday, and said the Superdome could be pressed into use as a shelter of last resort for people who do not have cars.

Katrina threatened to strike land again as early as Monday after ripping across southern Florida and killing seven people.

The National Hurricane Center posted a hurricane watch for the eastern half of the Louisiana coast, including New Orleans. The watch was likely to be extended to other areas, which could extend from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.

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[qanda]

1. Stay safe DUers in those areas

Take heed to any warnings-- Better safe than sorry.