The five-day forecast track from the National Hurricane Center at 11 a.m. Sept. 1, shows Hurricane Gustav's projected path.
A visible satellite image from NOAA shows Hurricane Gustav coming ashore in south Louisiana.
A New Orleans radar image from the National Weather Service shows Hurricane Gustav on shore in south Louisiana.
Photo by WAYNE CATHEL
High waves can be seen off Sand Key Beach Sunday afternoon as Hurricane Gustav passes to the west on its way to a possible landfall in Louisiana on Monday.
PINELLAS COUNTY – The center of Hurricane Gustav made landfall about 70 miles southwest of New Orleans at 11 a.m. Monday as a Category 2 storm.
Gustav’s maximum sustained winds were 110 mph with higher gusts. According to the National Hurricane Center, the center was closest to Cocodrie, La. and about 100 miles southeast of Lafayette.
Gustav was moving toward the northwest at about 15 mph and was expected to track along the south central Louisiana coast this afternoon and move into western Louisiana tonight and eastern Texas on Tuesday.
Hurricane force winds extended 70 miles from the center and tropical force winds extend outward up to 200 miles. The National Ocean Service Station at Grand Isle, La. recently reported a wind gust of 83 mph.
A high surf advisory remains in effect for Pinellas County until 2 p.m. Tuesday and a coastal flood statement until 6 p.m.
The National Weather Service office in Ruskin said large swells from Gustav will continue to reach the coastline through late in the day on Monday.
The threat of rip currents continues around area beaches, as well as dangerous breaking waves.
Minor coastal flooding also is possible with beach erosion possibly especially around high tide when water levels could reach 2 to 3 feet above astronomical tide.
Small craft also are advised to use caution through 10 p.m. East winds around 15 knots diminishing to around 10 knots late with seas of 4 to 6 feet are forecast.
Bay and inland waters are expected to be choppy. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast.
Officials continue to urge residents to keep in tune to the weather and to stay prepared.
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