By Associated Press
Mobile, AL – Flooding has forced road closings in low-lying areas of coastal Alabama. But the state's beach resorts, bayous and port city appear to have dodged serious damage from Hurricane Gustave, which made landfall southwest of New Orleans.
Tornado warnings were issued for both of Alabama's coastal counties. And blustery winds and rain are likely in parts of the state, which has motels and shelters filled with thousands of evacuees.
While some roads were closed in Baldwin and Mobile counties, the early sentiment was that Gustav would not rough up the area like Katrina did three years ago.
At Bayou La Batre, which was wrecked by Katrina, Fire Chief John Wiggins said there have been no emergency calls. But he cautions that extensive flooding could occur as the storm surge arrives.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)