A recent study suggests that hurricane intensity may be linked to the number of sunspots on the sun. Decrease in the number of sunspots may be related to increase in hurricane intensity.

Stevens Institute of Technology's Center for Maritime Systems began a project to strengthen the Early Warning System (EWS) for Inundations in the Dominican Republic. The project is focused on developing the technology of DR's EWS and providing the most up-to-date equipment to improve accuracy in detection of hurricanes and prevent flooding on the island.

A significant part of Galveston Island, TX is inundated, 8 hours before Hurricane Ike is forecast to make landfall near the threatened barrier island. Waters will continue to rise this evening.

Accuweather watching the Ike Path sees that residents between Pensacola and Corpus Christi should stay alert as Ike Path likely to enter Gulf.

Hurricane Ike could have New Orleans in its Crosshairs as the hurricane targets the Gulf states.

Disaster relief scams are likely in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, warn FBI.

U.S. President George Bush says coordination in dealing with Hurricane Gustav is "a lot better" than it was during Katrina three years ago.

Gustav has caused a mandatory evacuation in New Orleans. The president, FEMA and the local government are taking appropriate measures to make the best possible preparation ahead of Gustav landing. Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The mandatory evacuation of Orleans Parish makes the logistics of reopening Tulane University on the originally stated dates--Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 4--very difficult.

The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Gustav is expected to make landfall on Monday as at least a Category 3 storm, the same strength of Hurricane Katrina when it devastated the region three years ago. However, it is unlikely to reach Category 5 strength as Hurricane Katrina had prior to landfall.

The City of New Orleans launched the City Assisted Evacuation Plan this morning at 8 a.m. in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. Officials and volunteers helped check in citizens who needed assistance evacuating the city, including those with medical needs and with pets. The mayor has ordered a mandatory evacuation from New Orleans.

Due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Gustav, LSU will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 2.