New Orleans has started getting a taste of what's in store as Hurricane Gustav, now classified as a Category three hurricane, approaches the Gulf Coast. High winds and rain have already set into the area, with Gustav expected to make landfall sometime this afternoon.

Hurricane Gustav was located about 85 miles south of Louisiana at 6:00 AM CDT and was moving at approximately 16 miles per hour in a northwest direction. Forecasters have predicted that Gustav will decrease in forward speed as it makes landfall. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour with some stronger gusts possible.

Two million people were reported to have left New Orleans ahead of Gustav, but as many as 10,000 people remain in the area. Many of those that left can only watch and wait to see how Gustav impacts their community. Those that stayed won't be provided with a shelter of last resort and were told "they were on their own" by New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin.

FEMA Deputy Director Harvey Johnson said that they have enough food, water and other supplies stockpiled to supply 1 million victims over the next three days. The agency also warned that Gustav's storm surge could overwhelm the levees that failed during Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. The National Hurricane Center has predicted storm surges from ten to fourteen feet, which could be more than what the repaired levees can handle.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for east of the Mississippi- Alabama Border to the Ochlockonee river. Residents are advised to stay tuned to localized programming for updates on Hurricane Gustav.

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