Live Broadcasts This Weekend

Well, with Irene on her way to the New Jersey area, I've decided to, well, occasionally venture out with my cell phone for live reports on the storm. I'll announce when via Facebook and Twitter — and you can watch live right from here.

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Irene Heading For NYC

 

It's been 26 years since the last major hurricane hit New York City (Gloria, 1985), but it appears that long stretch in-between storms is about to come to an end, reports indicate. Click here to read all about the story that could wreak havoc on the Tri-State area this weekend.

State of Emergency declared in Nutley

Officials have declared a State of Emergency in Nutley, according to reports. Reports say many streets are flooded and are in dangerous condition. Check back for more later.

Send us your storm pics

If you happen to catch any storm related photos or videos, please feel free to send them to us and we'll share them with our readers. To send photos and videos, click here to send e-mail.

Here comes Hanna!

Tropical storm wind warnings remain in effect until 11 p.m. Saturday. Tropical Storm Hanna is located 575 miles southwest of Fenwick Island Delaware, the National Weather Service reports. The statement recommends actions be taken by those in central, northeast, northwest and south New Jersey. A flood watch is also in effect.

Some Louisiana parishes could get 14-feet of water

I was just listening to and watching WDSU-TV in New Orleans—as I have the last two days—and it's frightening to hear some of the statistics about what Hurricane Gustav could bring to the area. One estimates there will be up to 14-feet of water in some of the parishes [counties] in the New Orleans area. Folks, I'm not so sure people of this area realize just how devastating this storm could be.

And if you think it might not be all that bad, figure this: President Bush and Vice President Cheney are skipping this week's Republican National Convention in favor of monitoring the storm—and there's talk the RNC may turn into a massive fundraising-telethon type event instead of the usual political speeches.

If this doesn't illustrate the seriousness of what's about to happen, nothing will.

Below, images of Katrina—images that could again be realistic in a day or two.

Businesses ready for Gustav

Here are a few photos from New Orleans, where businesses are prepping for Gustav much quicker and more more efficiently than they did in 2005 with Katrina and Rita.

La. Lt. Gov: Get out!

I was just watching the NBC New Orleans affiliate talking to the lieutenant governor of Louisiana—and his message was rather frank: Residents should get out. The storm, Gustav, may hit New Orleans in its most vulnerable locations, Mitch Landrieu said on WDSU New Orleans.  Residents who can't get out because they're without a car can take buses that are picking people up in as many as 17 locations.

During the interview, there was talk of this storm being the storm of the century. That should exemplify just how strong it might be, especially in light of the devastation Katrina and Rita caused in the area.

If you pray, this might be a good time to offer one up for the people down there—it's not going to be pretty.

Gustav 'As bad as it gets'

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says Hurricane Gustav could be "as bad as it gets," and it could be worse—imagine this—than Hurricane Katrina was. If you're curious as to what's happening in Louisiana, you can watch live, online news from New Orleans by clicking here.

If you happen to be in the New Orleans area, click here for the Hurricane Preparedness Guide.

Finally, click here to watch a series of videos on a safe evacuation from a hurricane.

Gustav now a Category 4 storm

Maybe, just maybe, the feds have learned a lesson. Hurricane Gustav is now a Category 4 storm, prompting more and more people along the Gulf Coast to head inland, including many from New Orleans. Gustav hits three years exactly after Hurricane Katrina. We'll being you more on Gustav as needed. Click here, meanwhile, for CNN coverage of the storm

Get out or you're on your own

On the third anniversary of the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, the City of New Orleans is once again preparing for what could be a deadly storm in Hurricane Gustav—only this time, there will be no Superdome.  The Associated Press says police will be canvassing neighborhoods warning residents to get out—or face being on their own.

The report says residents who remain against the evacuation warning will be under curfew. If they're found on the street, they'll be immediately arrested.

Click here for the full report.

Below: CBS News Video report on the storm.

Watch CBS Videos Online

...And the people of Kearny think they have it bad when it rains a lot...

Crazy weather hits area at around 5:25 p.m.

Well, if you were out of the area earlier tonight, you really missed some menacing-looking skies over Kearny, Harrison, East Newark and the surrounding environs. I just happened to bring my camera into work today (in Newark) and grabbed these weather shots. There had been a tornado warning—but I think we safely escaped without one touching down. Hope you enjoy the shots.

Thunderstorm watch until 8 tonight

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issue for much of the area until 8 p.m. tonight. Click here for details -- and be safe!