Hurricane Gustav emerged into the southeast Gulf of Mexico as a major category 3 hurricane on August 31st after developing in the Caribbean Sea and moving across western Cuba. Gustav tracked northwestward across the Gulf toward Louisiana and made landfall as a category 2 hurricane near Cocodrie, Louisiana during the morning of September 1st. Gustav continued to move northwest across south Louisiana and weakened to a Category 1 storm over south central Louisiana later that day. The storm diminished to a tropical depression over northwestern Louisiana on September 2nd.
The highest wind gust recorded was 102 knots or 117 mph at a USGS site at the Houma Navigational Canal and at the Pilot Station Est C-MAN at near the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River. The highest sustained wind of 91 mph was recorded at the Pilot's Station East C-MAN site.
However, due to the failure of equipment at some observation sites during the storm higher winds may have occurred. The minimum sea level pressure measured was 951.6 millibars at a USGS site at Caillou Lake southwest of Dulac and 954.5 millibars at the LUMCON facility near Dulac. Rainfall varied considerably across southeast Louisiana ranging from around 4 inches to just over 11 inches.
Gustav produced widespread wind damage across southeast Louisiana, especially in the area from Houma and Thibodaux through the greater Baton Rouge area. Hurricane force wind gusts occurred across the inland areas through the Baton Rouge area and surrounding parishes. A peak wind gust of 91 mph was recorded at the Baton Rouge (Ryan Field) Airport at 112 PM CST. This was only one mph less than the highest wind gust recorded during Hurricane Betsy in 1965.  The electric utility serving most of southeast Louisiana reported 75 to 100 percent of utility customers were without power after the storm from Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes northwest through the Baton Rouge area to southwest Mississippi and central Louisiana. Considerable damage occurred to many houses and structures as large tree limbs and trees were toppled by the hurricane force winds. Preliminary estimates from the American Red Cross indicated that around 13,000 single family dwellings were damaged by the hurricane in southeast Louisiana, and several thousand more apartments and mobile homes. Early estimates from Louisiana Economic Development indicated that Gustav caused at least $4.5 billion in property damage in Louisiana, including insured and uninsured losses.
A storm surge of 5 to 8 feet above normal occurred along the coast from the mouth of Mississippi River westward through Terrebonne Parish. The highest storm surge of 8 to 12 feet above normal occurred more distant to the east, on the east side of the Mississippi River Delta, from the Mouth of Mississippi River to the Mississippi-Louisiana border. Storm surge around Lake Pontchartrain was generally 4 to 5 feet above normal. Storm surge affected many low-lying coastal areas as well as areas around Lake Pontchartrain, but federal levees protected most of the high density population areas of greater New Orleans. However, some locally built levees were breached or overtopped.
Three tornadoes occurred on the 2nd of September from feeder bands over the area as remnants of Gustav passed well north of the area. The most significant of the tornadoes occurred on west bank areas of Jefferson Parish where several structures suffered heavy damage.
Rainfall run-off was great enough to produce moderate flooding at some locations along the Amite and Comite Rivers in the Baton Rouge area, and along the Bogue Falaya River in the Covington area.

Tornado in JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 02-SEP-08 16:40:00 to 02-SEP-08 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTWEGO
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tornado damaged 35 to 40 structures with 15 being classified as total losses or destroyed.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER PLAQUEMINES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.43M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected around 35 homes in lower Plaquemines Parish with 3 receiving major damage and the remainder minor damage. A few businesses also received damage and some trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by both the high winds and storm surge associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in POINTE COUPEE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.40M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected nearly 200 homes with 4 homes being destroyed, 13 receiving major damage, and 27 minor damage. A number of businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER ST. BERNARD, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected around 25 homes in upper St. Bernard Parish with most of those receiving very minor damage. A few businesses also received damage and several trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER ST. BERNARD, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.39M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected about 30 homes in lower St. Bernard Parish with 2 homes receiving major damage and the remainder minor or very minor damage. A few businesses also received damage and several trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by both the high winds and storm surge associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. CHARLES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.82M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected just over 300 homes with 3 homes being destroyed, 42 receiving major damage, and 127 minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. HELENA, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.26M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected 18 homes with 1 home being destroyed, 4 receiving major damage, and 7 minor damage. A number of trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by high wind gusts associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. JAMES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.56M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected over 500 homes with 5 homes being destroyed, 3 receiving major damage, and 138 minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 8.15M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected over 700 homes with 13 homes being destroyed, 221 receiving major damage, and 81 minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by high winds associated with Gustav.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER PLAQUEMINES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A number of structures mainly located outside of the levee system experienced flooding.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER ST. BERNARD, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A number of structures mainly located outside of the levee system experienced flooding.

Storm Surge/Tide in ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.75M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A number of structures located outside the levee system in eastern Orleans Parish experienced flooding.

Storm Surge/Tide in UPPER JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Only minor storm surge flooding occurred outside the levee system.

Storm Surge/Tide in ST. CHARLES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Only minor flooding occurred outside the levee system.

Storm Surge/Tide in ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Only minor flooding was experienced.

Storm Surge/Tide in LIVINGSTON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Serveral structures were flooded near Lake Maurepas.

Storm Surge/Tide in TANGIPAHOA, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A few structures experienced flooding near Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas.

Storm Surge/Tide in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Minor to moderate flooding occurred near Lake Pontchartrain with the most significant flooding extending from the Mandeville lakefront area to Madisonville. Some structures experienced mainly minor flooding.

Tornado in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 02-SEP-08 19:15:00 to 02-SEP-08 19:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUSH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A tornado briefly touched down destroying a horse barn, overturning trailers, and knocking down trees.

Tornado in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 02-SEP-08 13:32:00 to 02-SEP-08 13:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: ABITA SPGS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A tornado briefly touched down damaging two metal buildings and knocking down trees.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.75M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected several homes in the upper portion of Jefferson Parish with most of the damage being minor. Some businesses also received damage and several trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.78M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected over 100 homes in the lower portion of Jefferson Parish with 4 homes being destroyed, 41 receiving major damage, and around 40 minor damage. A number of businesses also received damage and several trees and utility poles were knocked down. Substantial damage from coastal flooding also occurred in lower Jefferson Parish, especially in Grand Isle where major beach erosion also occurred.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER LAFOURCHE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 7.21M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected around 500 homes in upper Lafourche Parish with around 20 homes being destroyed and 300 receiving major to minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER LAFOURCHE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.13M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected over 600 homes in lower Lafourche Parish with around 35 homes being destroyed and 400 receiving major to minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. Considerable damage occurred from both the wind and storm surge associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LIVINGSTON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 8.40M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected over 1000 homes with 29 homes being destroyed, 106 receiving major damage, and 213 minor damage. A number of businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav. Minor coastal flooding as a result of storm surge occurred along the Lake Maurepas coast. One person died when winds toppled a large tree that fell on a mobile home killing the occupant.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 6.17M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected nearly 600 homes with 18 homes being destroyed, 78 receiving major damage, and 222 minor damage. A number of businesses also received damage and several trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER PLAQUEMINES, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected around 25 homes in upper Plaquemines Parish with most of them only receiving minor damage. A few businesses also received damage and some trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ST. TAMMANY, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.51M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected about 27 homes with 1 home being destroyed, 12 receiving major damage, and 12 minor damage. A few businesses also received damage and a number of trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by high winds associated with Gustav; however, the storm surge in Lake Pontchartrain caused minor damage along the coast, especially from Mandeville to Madisonville.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in TANGIPAHOA, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected about 10 homes with 2 receiving major damage and the remainder minor or very minor damage. A few businesses also received damage and a number of trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav. Minor storm surge flooding occurred along the Lake Pontchartrain coast.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ASCENSION, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 6.74M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected over 900 homes with 31 homes being destroyed, 66 receiving major damage, and 126 minor damage. Damage estimates were from preliminary American Red Cross surveys. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in ASSUMPTION, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 9.75M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected nearly 1300 homes with 48 homes being destroyed, 87 receiving major damage, and 175 minor damage. Damage estimates were from preliminary American Red Cross surveys. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The majority of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in EAST BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 37.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected nearly 7000 homes with 70 homes being destroyed, 437 receiving major damage, and 836 minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav. A peak wind gust of 91 mph was measured at Baton Rouge Metro Airport. Two people died during the storm when winds toppled a large tree which crashed into a house killing two of the occupants and injuring a third.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in EAST FELICIANA, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.10M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected 7 homes with 1 home being destroyed and the other receiving very minor damage. Damage estimates were from preliminary American Red Cross surveys. A number of trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in IBERVILLE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 5.67M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected over 400 homes with 5 homes being destroyed, 87 receiving major damage, and 290 minor damage. Damage estimates were from preliminary American Red Cross surveys.  Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in UPPER TERREBONNE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected around 600 homes in upper Terrebonne Parish with about 20 homes being destroyed, 40 receiving major damage, and 150 minor damage. Damage estimates were from parish government agencies. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. Most of the damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in WASHINGTON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 37.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected about 5 homes with all of them receiving minor or very minor damage. Several trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by high wind gusts associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in WEST BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:13:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.70M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected nearly 300 homes with 5 homes being destroyed, 20 receiving major damage, and 29 minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by the high winds associated with Gustav.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in WEST FELICIANA, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.52M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav affected 37 homes with 4 homes being destroyed, 5 receiving major damage, and 2 minor damage. Several businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by high winds associated with Gustav.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER TERREBONNE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 9.40M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Around 235 structures located mainly outside the levee system were flooded.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER LAFOURCHE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 6.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous structures mainly located outside the levee system were flooded.

Storm Surge/Tide in LOWER JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous structures experienced flooding, especially in Grand Isle.

Hurricane (Typhoon) in LOWER TERREBONNE, LOUISIANA
From 01-SEP-08 00:00:00 to 02-SEP-08 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 4.68M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Terrebonne Parish near Cocodrie as a category 2 hurricane.  Gustav affected around 500 homes in Terrebonne Parish with about 20 homes being destroyed, 40 receiving major damage, and 150 minor damage. Many businesses also received damage and numerous trees and utility poles were knocked down. The damage was caused by both the high winds and substantial storm surge associated with Gustav.