Evacuation ordered for Zones A and B, effective Sunday at 3

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for residents in Zones A and B, effective Sunday at 3 p.m.

The eye of Gustav is currently about 570 miles southeast of the north-central coast of the Gulf of Mexico, according to a 7 p.m. advisory. The storm, a Category 4 with sustained winds of about 150 mph, is moving toward the northwest near 15 mph.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm could reach Category 5 – winds of more than 155 mph – during the next 24 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

To see evacuation zones and major traffic routes, click here.

News and notaes

CTA service: Coast Transit has announced that fixed route service will end Sunday at noon so that CTA buses can be used for evacuation of Harrison County residents. No buses will run Monday or Tuesday. For information on CTA’s emergency evacuation Sunday, click here.

Schools closed: Biloxi Public Schools chief Dr. Paul A. Tisdale has announced that Biloxi Public Schools will be closed Tuesday. Public schools in Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian and Harrison County also will be closed Tuesday.

Edgewater closing: Edgewater Mall, which typically opens at noon on Sunday, will close tonight at 9 and will not re-open until the threat of Gustav has passed, according to mall manager Terry Powell.

Salvation Army: Salvation Army personnel have set up major staging area in Hattiesburg to support more than 170 mobile feeding units. The Army has current capability of serving more than a half-million meals a day.