The center of Gustav, once it cleared the island of Jamaica, began to reorganize and take on a more circular shape. The island acted as a barrier to the storm and hindered its development momentarily, but the storm continued to gain strength. Earlier estimates were that the storm could be a Category 5 storm by the time it hit the Gulf Coast, but newer estimates (as of August 29, 2008) showed the storm would likely be a Category 3 storm with storm surges well above normal.
The Cayman Islands were under a hurricane warning in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. The storm was tracking North-Northwest from Jamaica and looked to make a direct hit on the Grand Cayman Islands. No stranger to hurricanes, Cayman Island residents were preparing for the storm. Hurricane Ivan, which destroyed many of the beautiful homes and hotels on the islands, may be particularly hard hit by the winds and rain. The lower elevation of the islands compared to Jamaica and Haiti meant the threat of mudslides would be reduced. The National Hurricane Center even advised residents to protect life and property and 'put a rush on' completing those preparations.
Hurricane Gustav had another target in mind. The storm would later pound Cuba with 145 mph winds causing the evacuation of at least a quarter million people.
