Hurricane De Je Vu - Gustav and Hanna

We have two major hurricanes that could turn into a category 3 or higher by the time it hits landfall. The first one is Gustav which is presently a tropical storm that has already flooded Jamaica - the last time a Hurricane Gustav shown its face was in 2002 when it came within miles of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina before turning away. Texas and Louisiana are Gustav's main targets. Today, Gustav should be consider a hurricane once it gets past Jamaica. It is being reported that it could become a category 5 - by Monday or Tuesday, September 8- 9th, when it should make its presence into the Gulf coast. The other one is Hurricane Hanna which seems to want to target Florida - the last time a Hurricane Hanna hit also was in 2002 when Hanna formed in the Gulf of Mexico and moved northward, where it first made landfall in eastern Louisiana and then along the Mississippi/Alabama border. At this time, Hurricane Hanna's path will be known around Wednesday, September 10th, as it makes it way towards the Bahamas.

The last time we had a major category 3 threat was with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It became known as one of the top worst hurricanes in history and the most costly natural disaster in U.S. History with an estimated 81.2 billion dollars. At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane.

FEMA is said to be more organized this time and have learned valuable lessons from Hurricane Katrina. FEMA has said they have made big improvements in Louisiana and Texas and presently they have their leadership team and federal coordinators already in place.
Oil rigs are being evacuated. 1.2 mill barrels a day of oil are being threatened by Gustav.

You can't help feel sorry for the people in Louisiana to have to go through this traumatic experience again - whether it hits them or not, the mere emotions I'm sure cannot even be described unless you went through it. However, personally, I did experience Florida's pain when we had three hurricanes, Charlie, Frances, and Jeanne within a month in 2004. The season was notable as one of the deadliest and most costly Atlantic hurricane seasons on record, with at least 3,132 deaths and estimated at $50 billion (2004 US dollars) in damage. And after our recent Tropical Storm Fay which drenched Florida, we could be in a serious dilemma if Hanna threatens the Florida coast.

Tips on Being Prepared Before a Hurricane

- Start with reviewing your property for bad tree limbs that need to be cut down.

- Secure any lose bolts on screened enclosures.

- Keep your gutters clear from leaves or debris.

- Check your windows for leaks and do repairs now!

- If you have a wet area around your home, think of putting a plastic drain tube in the ground.

- If you have any roof repair that needs to be done, do it now!

- Prepare a pantry of canned, dry goods, and bottled water.

- Have an extra propane tank handy if you have a gas grill.

- Always have your automobile gas tank filled.

- Go over with the family where your "safe" room will be.

- Keep your insurance paperwork handy with phone numbers

- Know your evacuation route and where you will go.

- Know the nearby shelters.

If you want to track these Gustav and Hanna, click "Here."

While most of America will be enjoying the Labor Day weekend, please keep your thoughts and prayers for those in the paths of these two threats.