East Texas

Along with real-time updates on the Web at TylerPaper.com, East Texans can get timely information on Hurricane Gustav's landfall and other emergency information needed concerning the potentially dangerous storm by signing up for free text alerts to be received on their cell phones.

"Our news staff, which is the largest in East Texas, is covering Gustav's effect and impact on our area day and night," said Tom Mitsoff, Web editor for TylerPaper.com. "We will have the information you need to know, when you need to know it."

"This could be especially critical if the storm knocks power out for any period of time," said Bret McCormick, vice president of Web enterprises for the Tyler Paper. "If that happens, text messages could be the only way to get important information about conditions and developments on a timely basis."

Bob Peters, the Tyler Paper's weather expert, forecasts that Gustav could bring 6 to 15 inches of rain to areas of East Texas, and possibly heavy rains over Tyler if the storm stalls.

Peters forecasts that numerous instances of downed trees are probable, resulting in numerous power, telephone, and television cable failures. If there is a large number of such failures resulting from fallen trees, service may be disrupted for a considerable period of time, he said.

TylerPaper.com has been specifically redesigned to handle the volume of hurricane information and detailed stories to help people provide emergency relief for their families. Weather bulletins from Peters will be provided as new developments are being reported by the National Weather Service.

TylerPaper.com's weather coverage will be enhanced with maps from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

"New home page links will provide emergency preparedness information to safeguard our readers," McCormick said. "And, if you have an important message you need to get out to the community during this time, just send an e-mail to our Web desk at webmaster@tylerpaper.com. Our Web editors will get the information posted quickly."

(TylerPaper.com illustration by Howard Thompson)