By Staff
Below are updates on Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna issued Sunday morning just before 8 a.m. by Escambia County Emergency Management Agency director David Adams.
Hurricane Gustav
Hurricane Gustav is currently located northwest of Cuba and following a northwest track. Current forward speed is 16 mph and sustained winds are at 125 miles per hour with higher gusts.
Gustav lost more intensity as it passed over Cuba than earlier forecast, but is still expected to gain strength through today and may still reach Cat 4 intensity or greater. The current track still carries Gustav into the south-central Louisiana coast with landfall of the eye at around 2 p.m. Monday. Tropical storm force and hurricane force winds and rainfall will begin much earlier. Currently tropical storm force winds extend out 175 miles to the northeast of the eye. Rain extends several miles further outward.
If the current track and forecast holds, Escambia County should see rain showers later today increasing through Monday with some gusty winds. Gustav is expected to slow forward motion after landfall. This can mean higher rainfall totals and possible flooding for the area of landfall; this should have little of any impact on Escambia County.
Tropical Storm Hanna
Hanna is currently located east of the Bahamas and moving in a west-northwest direction at 12 miles per hour. Current sustained winds are at 60 mph. Models vary greatly on the forecast direction and intensity of this storm. Strengthening of this storm is possible. Hanna currently posses no threat to our area, but may pose a threat in the next several days.
Please stay tuned to local TV and radio stations and your Weather Radio for changes in the forecast or conditions and any watches or warnings that may be issued.
– Staff Reports