Gustav: The Impact
Hurricane Gustav Victims Qualify for IRS Disaster Relief IR-2008-100, Sept. 3, 2008 * Updated Sept. 4 to add St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is providing tax relief to victims of Hurricane Gustav in affected areas of Louisiana. The IRS is postponing until Jan. 5, 2009 deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. The postponement applies to return filing, tax payment and other time-sensitive acts otherwise due between Sept. 1, 2008 and Jan. 5, 2009. This includes: * Individual estimated tax payments due Sept. 15, 2008. * Corporate extended 1120 tax returns due Sept. 15, 2008. * Individual extended 1040 tax returns due Oct. 15, 2008. “As residents of Louisiana return to their homes following Hurricane Gustav, taxes are one thing they won’t need to worry about,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “This relief gives them extra time to get their lives in order before having to deal with their tax matters.” In addition, the IRS will waive the failure to deposit penalties for employment and excise deposits due on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Sept. 16, 2008 as long as the deposits are made by Sept. 16, 2008. Other provisions are listed in the Grant of Relief section below. Taxpayers who reside in or have a business located in the following parishes qualify for the relief announced today: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. IRS computer systems automatically identify taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and apply automatic filing and payment relief. Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS disaster hotline at 1-866-562-5227 to request tax relief. If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate any interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. Penalties or interest will be abated only for taxpayers who have an original or extended filing or payment due date between Sept. 1, 2008 and Jan. 5, 2009. Covered Disaster Area The Louisiana parishes listed above constitute a covered disaster area for purposes of Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(2) and are entitled to the relief detailed below. Affected Taxpayers Taxpayers considered to be affected taxpayers eligible for the postponement of time to file returns, pay taxes and perform other time-sensitive acts are those taxpayers listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(1), and include individuals who live, and businesses whose principal place of business is located, in the covered disaster area. Taxpayers not in the covered disaster area, but whose books, records, or tax professionals’ offices are in the covered disaster area, are also entitled to relief. In addition, all relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the relief activities in the covered disaster area are eligible for relief. Grant of Relief Under section 7508A, the IRS gives affected taxpayers until Jan. 5, 2009 to file most tax returns (including individual, corporate, and estate and trust income tax returns; partnership returns, S corporation returns, and trust returns; estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns; and employment and certain excise tax returns) or to make tax payments, including estimated tax payments, that have either an original or extended due date occurring on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Jan. 5, 2009. The IRS also gives affected taxpayers until Jan. 5, 2009 to perform other time-sensitive actions described in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(c)(1) and Rev. Proc. 2007-56, 2007-34 I.R.B. 388 (August 20, 2007) that are due to be performed on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Jan. 5, 2009. This relief also includes the filing of Form 5500 series returns in the manner described in section 8 of Rev. Proc. 2007-56. The relief described in section 17 of Rev. Proc. 2007-56, pertaining to like-kind exchanges of property, also applies to certain taxpayers who are not otherwise affected taxpayers and may include acts required to be performed before or after the period above. The postponement of time to file and pay does not apply to information returns in the W-2, 1098 or 1099 series, or to Forms 1042-S or 8027. Penalties for failure to timely file information returns can be waived under existing procedures for reasonable cause. Likewise, the postponement does not apply to employment and excise tax deposits. The IRS, however, will abate penalties for failure to make timely employment and excise deposits due on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Sept. 16, 2008 provided the taxpayer made these deposits by Sept. 16, 2008. Casualty Losses Affected taxpayers in a presidentially declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either this year or last year. Claiming the loss on an original or amended return for last year will get the taxpayer an earlier refund, but waiting to claim the loss on this year’s return could result in a greater tax saving, depending on other income factors. Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements but they must first subtract $100 for each casualty event and then subtract 10 percent of their adjusted gross income from their total casualty losses for the year. For details on figuring a casualty loss deduction, see IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters and Thefts. Affected taxpayers claiming the disaster loss on last year’s return should put the Disaster Designation “Louisiana/Hurricane Gustav” at the top of the form so that the IRS can expedite the processing of the refund. Free Return Copies and Transcripts The IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers. Taxpayers should put the assigned Disaster Designation in red ink at the top of Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, as appropriate, and submit it to the IRS. Affected taxpayers who are contacted by the IRS on a collection or examination matter should explain how the disaster impacts them so that the IRS can provide appropriate consideration to their case. Taxpayers may download forms and publications from this Web site or order them by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 1-800-829-1040. Related Information * Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses * Recent IRS Disaster Relief Announcements Cabell EMS continues Gustav relief efforts Sep 04, 2008 @ 12:00 AM The Herald-Dispatch Full article Cabell EMS HUNTINGTON -- Emergency officials from Cabell County continued their Hurricane Gustav relief mission Wednesday in Louisiana. The group includes Cabell County EMS Supervisor Chad Ward of Barboursville and paramedics Mike Hensley and Kraig Barker of Huntington. They are joined by Chuck Peoples of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services. The group was scheduled to transport evacuees Wednesday from a nursing home in Delhi, La., to their original facility in Sulphur, La. Hurricane Gustav Information Center A Word From Our President & CEO, Gary Godsey Visit: United Way Dallas It has been projected that 45,000 people, or more, could evacuate to the DFW Metroplex. I want to assure you we will concentrate our efforts as a communication liaison for the community, a connector between those in need of support and those providing assistance, and a coordinator as requested by the local community. The following organizations are coordinating the response locally: * The Salvation Army will provide meals at all mass shelter locations. * The American Red Cross will manage and oversee shelter operation. * The North Texas Food Bank will provide food for meal preparation. * The Volunteer Center of North Texas will coordinate volunteer placement for the relief effort. Evacuees who arrive in our service region individually should still call 2-1-1, the local information and referral telephone hotline for the latest shelter information. We will continue to monitor the relief efforts for evacuees and are prepared to serve as a connector between those in need of support and those providing assistance. As always, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is poised to serve any evacuees who are displaced in our region for the long term. Hurricane Gustav Disaster Relief Effort BigSlider utility mover PRWeb September 04, 2008 Full article PRWeb Excerpts - BigSlider utility mover announced today a price reduction for anyone living in Mississippi or Louisiana and for those working on the hurricane clean up, relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Gustav. Look for www.bigslider.com/articles/hurricane-disaster-relief.html. 'We want to help people easily move heavy debris from streets and yards so the clean up effort will go as quickly as possible. We live on the Texas Gulf Coast and know how much everyone wants to get back to their own homes,' said Jeri Masterson, owner. If you have a mailing address in Mississippi or Louisiana, you'll receive a $20 discount on the Professional model any time during September. Relief agencies dealing with Hurricane Gustav disaster relief and recovery efforts will receive further discounts. BigSlider is ideal for moving up to 30 cu ft such as six 39-gal trash bags, heavy boxes and furniture, or moving heavy limbs and logs outdoors. Here's a story from one man who cleaned up his hurricane debris: WALL STREET JOURNAL Last update: 2:47 p.m. EDT Sept. 3, 2008 WASHINGTON, Sept 03, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program Recognized for Their Financial Support Full article Wall Street Journal Excerpts WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --- Hurricane Gustav created a critical need for overnight shelters, food supplies and emotional support. To swiftly respond following Gustav's landfall along the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross moved disaster relief supplies that were pre-positioned near Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for hurricane season 2008. Members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program helped provide funding to enable the Red Cross to pre-position these supplies and rush disaster relief services to the affected communities. Prior to landfall and throughout the region, the Red Cross proactively deployed mobile feeding trucks and trailer support trucks --- containing thousands of cots, blankets, comfort kits and ready-to-eat meals. The Red Cross is currently sheltering, feeding and providing mental health counseling to help both victims and emergency personnel. Additional financial donations are needed to support ongoing Red Cross relief efforts and in preparation of Hurricane Hanna, Tropical Storm Ike and Tropical Storm Josephine. The Red Cross will continue to mobilize volunteers and supplies, such as clean-up kits, into the affected areas as local authorities allow entry. Red Cross case workers will work with individuals and families to provide additional assistance based on the damage sustained to their homes, and will provide emotional care and comfort to help residents and emergency workers manage the stress and fear that accompanies all disasters. Offers Tax Relief Issue Number: IR-2008-100 Inside This Issue Hurricane Gustav Victims Qualify for IRS Disaster Relief WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is providing tax relief to victims of Hurricane Gustav in affected areas of Louisiana. The IRS is postponing until Jan. 5, 2009 deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. The postponement applies to return filing, tax payment and other time-sensitive acts otherwise due between Sept. 1, 2008 and Jan. 5, 2009. This includes: Individual estimated tax payments due Sept. 15, 2008. Corporate extended 1120 tax returns due Sept. 15, 2008. Individual extended 1040 tax returns due Oct. 15, 2008. “As residents of Louisiana return to their homes following Hurricane Gustav, taxes are one thing they won’t need to worry about,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “This relief gives them extra time to get their lives in order before having to deal with their tax matters.” In addition, the IRS will waive the failure to deposit penalties for employment and excise deposits due on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Sept. 16, 2008 as long as the deposits are made by Sept. 16, 2008. Other provisions are listed in the Grant of Relief section below. Taxpayers who reside in or have a business located in the following parishes qualify for the relief announced today: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. IRS computer systems automatically identify taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and apply automatic filing and payment relief. Affected taxpayers who reside or have a business located outside the covered disaster area must call the IRS disaster hotline at 1-866-562-5227 to request tax relief. If an affected taxpayer receives a penalty notice from the IRS, the taxpayer should call the telephone number on the notice to have the IRS abate any interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. Penalties or interest will be abated only for taxpayers who have an original or extended filing or payment due date between Sept. 1, 2008 and Jan. 5, 2009. Covered Disaster Area The Louisiana parishes listed above constitute a covered disaster area for purposes of Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(2) and are entitled to the relief detailed below. Affected Taxpayers Taxpayers considered to be affected taxpayers eligible for the postponement of time to file returns, pay taxes and perform other time-sensitive acts are those taxpayers listed in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(d)(1), and include individuals who live, and businesses whose principal place of business is located, in the covered disaster area. Taxpayers not in the covered disaster area, but whose books, records, or tax professionals’ offices are in the covered disaster area, are also entitled to relief. In addition, all relief workers affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization assisting in the relief activities in the covered disaster area are eligible for relief. Grant of Relief Under section 7508A, the IRS gives affected taxpayers until Jan. 5, 2009 to file most tax returns (including individual, corporate, and estate and trust income tax returns; partnership returns, S corporation returns, and trust returns; estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns; and employment and certain excise tax returns) or to make tax payments, including estimated tax payments, that have either an original or extended due date occurring on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Jan. 5, 2009. The IRS also gives affected taxpayers until Jan. 5, 2009 to perform other time-sensitive actions described in Treas. Reg. § 301.7508A-1(c)(1) and Rev. Proc. 2007-56, 2007-34 I.R.B. 388 (August 20, 2007) that are due to be performed on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Jan. 5, 2009. This relief also includes the filing of Form 5500 series returns in the manner described in section 8 of Rev. Proc. 2007-56. The relief described in section 17 of Rev. Proc. 2007-56, pertaining to like-kind exchanges of property, also applies to certain taxpayers who are not otherwise affected taxpayers and may include acts required to be performed before or after the period above. The postponement of time to file and pay does not apply to information returns in the W-2, 1098 or 1099 series, or to Forms 1042-S or 8027. Penalties for failure to timely file information returns can be waived under existing procedures for reasonable cause. Likewise, the postponement does not apply to employment and excise tax deposits. The IRS, however, will abate penalties for failure to make timely employment and excise deposits due on or after Sept. 1, 2008 and on or before Sept. 16, 2008 provided the taxpayer made these deposits by Sept. 16, 2008. Casualty Losses Affected taxpayers in a presidentially declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either this year or last year. Claiming the loss on an original or amended return for last year will get the taxpayer an earlier refund, but waiting to claim the loss on this year’s return could result in a greater tax saving, depending on other income factors. Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements but they must first subtract $100 for each casualty event and then subtract 10 percent of their adjusted gross income from their total casualty losses for the year. For details on figuring a casualty loss deduction, see IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters and Thefts. Affected taxpayers claiming the disaster loss on last year’s return should put the Disaster Designation “Louisiana/Hurricane Gustav” at the top of the form so that the IRS can expedite the processing of the refund. Free Return Copies and Transcripts The IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of previously filed tax returns for affected taxpayers. Taxpayers should put the assigned Disaster Designation in red ink at the top of Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, or Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, as appropriate, and submit it to the IRS. Affected taxpayers who are contacted by the IRS on a collection or examination matter should explain how the disaster impacts them so that the IRS can provide appropriate consideration to their case. Taxpayers may download forms and publications from the official IRS Web site, irs.gov, or order them by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). The IRS toll-free number for general tax questions is 1-800-829-1040. Related Information * Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses * Recent IRS Disaster Relief Announcements * Revenue Procedure 2007-56 Release Date: August 30, 2008 Release Number: HQ-08-175 Factsheet Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's emergency disaster declaration issued for Alabama. "Emergency" is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States. Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required: * FEMA will direct other federal agencies and provide 75 percent federal funding for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, limited to this direct federal assistance. * Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million. If limit is exceeded, the president reports on the nature and extent of continuing emergency assistance requirements to Congress before approving further federal aid. Direct Federal Assistance: FEMA will provide direct federal assistance through a mission assignment to another federal agency - upon request of the state - when the state and local government certify they lack the capability to perform or contract for the requested work. The state shall agree in advance to reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-federal share of the work including the overhead of the federal agency assigned the task. 1. Food, Water, and Other Consumable Commodities: This relates to a mission assignment task order approved for such commodities and the work necessary to distribute them, but not including installation or set-up, regardless of the work or project completion date. 2. Other Emergency Protective Measures: Examples of these measures include: installation of generators, installation of large plastic sheet roofing, and shoring or demolition of unsafe structures. How to Apply for Assistance: * Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies. FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's emergency disaster declaration issued for Louisiana. "Emergency" is any occasion or instance in which the president determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts to save lives and protect property and public health and safety or to avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States. Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required: * FEMA will direct other federal agencies and provide 75 percent federal funding for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, limited to this direct federal assistance. * Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million. If limit is exceeded, the President reports on the nature and extent of continuing emergency assistance requirements to Congress before approving further federal aid. Direct Federal Assistance: FEMA will provide direct federal assistance through a mission assignment to another federal agency - upon request of the state - when the state and local government certify they lack the capability to perform or contract for the requested work. The state shall agree in advance to reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-federal share of the work including the overhead of the federal agency assigned the task. * Food, Water, and Other Consumable Commodities: This relates to a mission assignment task order approved for such commodities and the work necessary to distribute them, but not including installation or set-up, regardless of the work or project completion date. * Other Emergency Protective Measures: Examples of these measures include: installation of generators, installation of large plastic sheet roofing, and shoring or demolition of unsafe structures. How to Apply for Assistance: * Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies. FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. Designated Counties for Mississippi Hurricane Gustav Disaster Summary For FEMA-3291-EM, Mississippi Declaration Date: August 30, 2008 Incident Type: Hurricane Gustav Incident Period: August 28, 2008, and continuing Designations and Types of Assistance: The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and protect public health, safety, and property, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding. This assistance is for all 82 counties in the State. Jackson, Hancock, and Harrison Counties for debris removal (Category A) under the Public Assistance program (already designated for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program. Other: Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation. Designated Counties for Texas Hurricane Gustav Disaster Summary For FEMA-3290-EM, Texas Declaration Date: August 29, 2008 Incident Type: Hurricane Gustav Incident Period: August 27, 2008, and continuing Designations and Types of Assistance: The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding. This assistance is for the counties of Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bee, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Colorado, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Hardin, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, Liberty, Lubbock, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Potter, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Smith, Starr, Tarrant, Tom Green, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Victoria, Waller, Walker, Webb, Wharton, and Willacy. Other: Update 2:41 PM Central Time Watching Wall Failure-Huge Barge Breaks Loose Overlapping Waters Concern Army Corp of Engineers FoxNews.COM reports the following: ..."Gustav made landfall as a category 2 storm at about 10:30 a.m., but had weakened by 3 p.m. ET to a category 1 storm. At its peak Monday, the storm had a gust of 117 mph just before 5 a.m. "We are seeing some overtopping waves," said Col. Jeff Bedey, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers' hurricane protection office. "We are cautiously optimistic and confident that we won't see catastrophic wall failure."... Update 12:15 PM Watching Wall Failure-Huge Barge Breaks Loose "We are seeing some overtopping waves," said Col. Jeff Bedey, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers' hurricane protection office. "We are cautiously optimistic and confident that we won't see catastrophic wall failure." Of more immediate concern to authorities was a barge that broke loose from its moorings and crashed into two anchors scrapped ships. The was no damage to the canal. Update 10:35 AM Hurricane Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, about 10:30 a.m. ET, the National Hurricane Center said. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama, and a tornado was spotted near the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi, near the Louisiana border. SUNDAY 7:05 PM Governor Bobby Jindal-There is still time and help for evacuations. Present course, slightly west of New Orleans but appears to be definitely on the way. Estimated time to hit the Mainland late in the morning or early afternoon. Sunday 5:35 PM EST Win Cuba declares Gustav-Worst Hit of the Island in 50 years. Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi all in serious danger. Final direction is crucial for who might take the most direct hit. Mayor Ray Nagin ordered the city's 239,000 plus residents to evacuate on Sunday to escape the powerful forces of Hurricane Gustav. Nagin referred to it as "the mother of all storms." The evacuation order issued on Saturday was the first in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina devastated the historic Southern city in August 2005. It is presently a Category 4 storm. It is expected to approach the central Louisiana coast just west of New Orleans on Monday. "You need to be concerned and you need to get your butts moving and out of New Orleans right now," Nagin said at City Hall. "This is the storm of the century." But one day after the third anniversary of Katrina, many had already decided to abandon the city, much of which lies below sea level. Thousands of people fled New Orleans earlier on Saturday. Hoping to avoid the 2005 spectacle of desperate city residents crammed into the New Orleans Superdome, the government lined up hundreds of buses and trains to evacuate 30,000 people who cannot leave on their own. About 10,000 people have already left the city by bus or train according to Nagin, with 20,000 more, that had requested evacuation assistance to leave on Sunday, he added. Gustav roared across Cuba on Saturday and could hit the U.S. Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm, the second-highest on the five-stage Saffir-Simpson scale, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. In the Lower Ninth Ward, hundreds of residents loaded personal and household belongings into vehicles and left. Some had only recently returned to their homes after fleeing Katrina. "After Katrina, you've got to leave," said Ruby Hall, a longtime resident, pointing to the place on the timber frame of the porch where Katrina's waters rose. "I'm not going to chance it, not with my grandchild." Katrina's massive storm surge broke through protective levees on August 29, 2005, and flooded 80 percent of the city, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Katrina took the lives of about 1,500 people along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Damage estimates reached $80 billion, making it the costliest U.S. natural disaster. Stay tuned.
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