Gulf Goast Universities Brace for Gustav

Tropical Storm Gustav has been gathering speed and could reach hurricane strength--with a likely path to New Orleans--by early next week, say forecasters.
Universities and colleges in and around New Orleans are bracing for the worst, with evacuation plans at the ready should they be needed. Xavier University in New Orleans will close at noon on Friday. Classes are not set to resume until Thursday, September 4th. A XULA spokesman cautioned students, staff and faculty to take steps now to ensure personal safety in the event evacuation becomes necessary. "We will keep the XULA community informed by way of the website and through broadcast messages sent to your XULA web mail account," the spokesman said.
Loyola University has also cancelled Friday classes but, so far, plans to re-open Tuesday.
New Orleans officials declared a pre-storm state of emergency Wednesday, and put 3,000 National Guard troops on standby. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said he would order an evacuation if Gustav looked likely to come ashore with wind speeds over 111 miles per hour. That would make it a Category 3 hurricane. By comparison, Katrina made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in 2005.
Louisiana officials will make 700 buses available for assisted evacuations, which could begin on Friday for people who need help due to medical or other conditions. Amtrak trains were also standing by to move 7,000 elderly residents to safety.