As the wind and rain started picking up, I traveled with WSB Radio's Richard Sangster to the beaches of Biloxi (the casino strip, as some call it). Almost immediately US 90 began to flood, the mall parking lot I parked the vehicle in to file reports filled up with water in just a matter of minutes.

I struggled to open the car door in the wind...and then...in the middle of a report...a giant construction barrell was picked up...and slammed...right into the side of the Jeep Liberty.

That was all the convincing Richard and I needed to start heading for higher ground.

I've attached a few photos (there are more in the slideshow) that showcase how seriously the locals took Gustav.

Every restaurant, store, church and hotel in downtown Biloxi is boarded up and closed. Police officers cruise up and down the streets, pulling over any vehicle (news media excluded) violating what is essentially a day-long curvew until the storm subsides.

Also, no gas stations are open...so no one is driving very far anyway.

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