110 GUSTS and 51 MPH Sustained Winds Measured at Arabi, Louisiana Port Ship Service WeatherBug Tracking Station

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Below is the latest Technical Discussion from WeatherBug Meteorologist Julie Gaddy:

Gustav Downgraded to Category One; Continued Weakening Expected

Doppler radar is now showing the less discernable eye of Hurricane Gustav in St. Landry Parish near the town of Opelousas. Sustained maximum winds have diminished to 80 mph, with the central pressure rising to 966 mb, a 4 mb rise since 2 p.m. CDT. Hurricane force winds extend to 35 miles from the storm center, with tropical storm force winds out to 200 miles.

Torrential rain rates of nearly 2 inches per hour are pounding southeastern St. Landry, northern Iberville, and northern St. Martin Parishes. A swath of intense rain continues to the north and western side of the center of circulation, with the exterior rain bands extending into eastern Texas, southern Arkansas and far western Florida.

The rain bands to the east of Gustav have been triggering numerous tornado warnings, especially over southern Mississippi and Alabama, as well as western Florida, with a few confirmed touchdowns. A newly issued Tornado Watch will remain in effect for all of these areas until Midnight CDT.

Storm surge splashed over the levees in New Orleans earlier today, with occasional flow allowed through to release pressure. Water levels have dropped a bit since then. A significant surge in the neighborhood of 10 to 14 feet may threaten levees over LaFourche, Jefferson, and Plaquemines Parishes.

At 4 p.m. CDT, Gustav was located 15 miles north of Lafayette, La., at 30.4N, 92.0W. Winds were 80 mph, and movement was to the northwest at 16 mph. This motion is expected to continue to slow down over the next couple of days, and poses a significant flood threat to western Louisiana and eastern Texas by mid-to-late week.

The next complete discussion will be issued around 10 p.m. CDT, or earlier if significant conditions warrant.