As Gustav gains strength, area parishes are preparing for potential problems. They are even looking ahead, reviewing evacuation plans if necessary.

Early projections for Gustav have captured the attention of parish leaders across the state.

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser worries if an evacuation is mandatory, residents may ignore it.

"If we call for an evacuation it's because we have reason to believe that that eye coming up the Barataria Basin could devastate Belle Chasse," said Nungesser.

Emergency preparedness meetings will be the daily norm.

Leaders will watch around the clock Gustav's every move until its path is clearer. And while they don't want to alarm residents so early in Gustav's formation, leaders say they simply cannot wait until it's too late, and neither should residents.

"Everybody should be looking at their plans like we're looking at our plans and get ready," said Col. Jerry Sneed, director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the City of New Orleans.

"If residents don't have a plan, there is still time. If you wait and then the storm's on top of you, that's when panic sets in. You don't think wisely and you're going to make some errors," he said.

The City of New Orleans estimates roughly 30,000 people who will need help in the event of an evacuation. Col. Sneed says the city still needs anyone who may need assistance to register for help by calling the 311 Information Hotline.

If you live in Plaquemines Parish and know that you will need help evacuating if there is a mandatory evacuation, you can call 504-274-2470 to register for assistance.