World Bulletin / News Desk

Residents in three states along the US Gulf Coast scrambled to complete preparations Saturday ahead of Hurricane Nate as officials warned conditions would turn treacherous after sunset.

Storm surges along the US Gulf Coast are forecast as high as eight feet (2.5 meters) above ground level, prompting officials to order mandatory evacuations in some low-lying areas.

In Louisiana's flood-prone city of New Orleans, residents were out early Saturday to fill sandbags, as others in nearby communities packed cars to heed evacuation orders.

"This is going to be a major wind event, which can provide electrical outages... and this is a potential wind surge event, if you live outside the levee protection areas," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Friday night while announcing a Saturday curfew of 7 pm (2300 GMT).

The levee system has been considerably fortified since Katrina, but authorities warn that it has reduced, but not completely eliminated, flooding risks.

The mayor urged residents in three areas under mandatory evacuation orders to leave by noon because nearby floodgates will be closing.