Governor: Get ready for Gustav

MONTGOMERY - Gov. Bob Riley on Wednesday joined Gulf state counterparts in advising residents to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane early next week that could send evacuees into Alabama.

Riley and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency urged preparation for Tropical Storm Gustav that was downgraded Wednesday but was expected to regain hurricane status.

"This storm is another important reminder of everyone's responsibility to prepare for emergencies," Riley said. "State agencies are monitoring Gustav and will be ready to take action, but I encourage residents to use this time to review and update their personal emergency plans."

Those plans include an emergency kit, a family communications plan, a plan to evacuate if necessary and a plan for pet care.

Louisiana and Mississippi officials, remembering hurricane-plagued 2005 and the deadly Katrina, also advised residents to prepare. Katrina hit land three years ago today, devastating New Orleans and Mississippi and delivering Alabama a glancing but significant blow.

Gustav could be in the central Gulf of Mexico near Alabama on Monday morning, the end of the three-day Labor Day weekend. Travel and tourism officials say a hurricane could complicate Monday travel for Alabamians at a time storm refugees may be seeking hotel shelter as they did three years ago.

"You don't try to second guess a storm," said Mike Foster, vice president of marketing for the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.

AAA Alabama spokesman Clay Ingram said he expects less vacation travel this weekend anyway but a hurricane could complicate everything.

Tourism officials said local motels could start filling up during the weekend.

"The last two hurricanes, Ivan and Katrina, we set up mobile facilities on the interstate and provided information to travelers," said Robert Ratliff, executive director of the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"It could have an impact," Florence Lauderdale Tourism Bureau Executive Director Debbie Wilson said of Gustav.

Gas prices are considerably less this month but there are anecdotal stories of gasoline along the coast jumping 20 cents a gallon in one day as motorists top off their tanks.

All available state troopers will be on duty this weekend targeting drunken driving and speeding, Department of Public Safety Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy said.

University of Louisiana Monroe officials said Saturday night's game against Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium is still planned.

"It's been talked about," Louisiana Monroe sports media director Adam Prendergast said of Gustav.

The University of Alabama plays in Atlanta on Saturday night.

Alabama and Louisiana Monroe teams would be back home early Sunday in advance of Gustav if it's still aimed at the Gulf Coast.

Information can be found online at readyalabama.org and ema.alabama.gov.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605.