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SPECTER OF GUSTAV ON KATRINA ANNIVERSARY
AccuWeather.com
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – August 29, 2008 – Preparations to protect lives and property ahead of the arrival of Gustav continue today along the U.S. Gulf Coast on the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports the Tropical Storm Gustav will strengthen into a hurricane today as it moves away from the mountains of Jamaica.
By Saturday, Gustav is expected to reach Category 3 strength as it pounds the Cayman Islands with torrential rain and destructive winds. The storm has the potential to become a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, with winds over 130 mph, as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico.
The storm poses a serious threat to lives and property along the Gulf Coast, with landfall forecast late Monday or early on Tuesday. The highest risk for a direct landfall from Gustav lies from Houston, Texas, to Mobile, Ala.
Conditions will begin to deteriorate along the central Gulf Coast on Monday. Heavy rain, strong winds and pounding surf could batter the Gulf Coast for a prolonged period of time if a strong area of high pressure to the north slows Gustav's forward speed around the time of landfall. [8/29/08]
A STEP BACKWARDS FOR EQUALITY IN LOUISIANA
When we think of the fight for equal rights, we tend, of course, to be forward-looking, with an eye toward building on existing protections. Sometimes, though, opponents of equality try to move things in the opposite direction, away from equality. The discriminatory marriage amendments in California, Arizona, and Florida, as well as the repeal efforts in Montgomery County, Maryland and Gainesville, Florida are stark reminders of that. > Full Story. [8/29/08]
BALDWIN STATEMENT ON PASSING OF DEL MARTIN
Statement
of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin > Full Story. [8/27/08]
HINT OF AUTUMN THIS WEEKEND
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – August 8, 2008 – AccuWeather.com reports unusually cool, dry air spreading across the eastern half of the country this weekend will make it feel more like September than early August.
Conditions forecast for this weekend from the Great Lakes to the Deep South can be described simply as splendid. Cool, dry Canadian air will spread behind a cold front today that will plunge almost to the Gulf Coast.
The absence of humidity will be a welcome relief across the Southeast, where steamy conditions are the rule in mid-summer. Daytime heating will result in near normal temperatures; however, the dry air will make it feel much more comfortable.
The big difference will be felt at night, when it is going to feel more like late September. Expert Senior Meteorologist John Kocet says overnight, low temperatures "will be in the 50s as far south as western South Carolina and the mountains of Tennessee."
Kocet adds, "It's going to be even colder tonight around the lower Great Lakes. Lows in the rural areas of western New York and Pennsylvania could dip into the 40s."
> Full Story. [8/8/08]
UNDERGEAR ANNOUNCES NATIONAL MALE MODEL SEARCH
UNDERGEAR ANNOUNCES NATIONAL MALE MODEL SEARCH > Full Story. [8/7/08]
DOLLY NEARING HURRICANE STRENGTH
Dolly Nearing Hurricane Strength
Oil and Ag Concerns in Gulf
 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – July 22, 2008 – The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports Tropical Storm Dolly is nearing hurricane strength as it moves through the western Gulf of Mexico toward landfall early on Wednesday near the Texas - Mexico border. The gathering storm has raised concerns in the oil and agriculture industries.
The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports Tropical Storm Dolly is expected to reach hurricane strength today as it moves over the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a strong possibility it could reach Category 2 strength, with winds of 100 mph, before making landfall early on Wednesday near the mouth of the Rio Grande River.
Oil Production Impacts
The storm is not expected to have a major impact on oil and natural gas operations in the Gulf; however, several oil companies have begun to evacuate some rigs and platforms.
 Exxon Mobil spokeswoman Margaret Ross tells AccuWeather.com nonessential personnel have been evacuated from company facilities expected to be in the path of the storm. She adds there has been minimal impact on production.
Royal Dutch Shell on Sunday and Monday evacuated about 185 people from its operations in the western part of the Gulf. Meanwhile, the U.S. Minerals Management Service has activated its Continuity of Operations Plan team to monitor activities in the Gulf until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat.
Landfall Concerns
The strength of the storm by landfall will depend on its forward speed. On Monday, Dolly entered the Gulf at around 18 mph. Today, it has slowed to near 12 mph as it moves west-northwest across the Gulf.
“We are concerned that Dolly has the potential to cause damaging winds and life-threatening, widespread flooding across South Texas and northern Mexico. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are likely across the region with locally heavier amounts possible,” said AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologists Alex Sosnowski and Ken Clark.
The Mexican government has issued a hurricane warning from the U.S. border to Rio San Fernando and a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch from Rio San Fernando to the U.S. border, while a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch are in effect south of Rio San Fernando to La Pesca. Anyone along the Gulf Coast, especially in the areas under hurricane warnings, should take immediate steps to protect life and property.
Hurricane-force winds will pound the coast of South Texas, while tropical storm-force winds will extend into the mid to upper Rio Grande Valley. In addition, a coastal storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normal tide levels can be expected, with the strongest surf striking the coast to the north of the eye.
Rio Grande Ag Impacts
Five to 10 inches of rain and locally higher amounts forecast for South Texas and northern Mexico could spark dangerous flash flooding that could threaten lives and property. The rain could have a major impact on agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley, the center of citrus production and the most important area of vegetable production in Texas, producing cotton, sugarcane, maize and a variety of sorghums. > Full Story. [7/22/08]
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