gustav slams oil hub in southwest louisiana

PORT FOURCHON, Louisiana (CNN) -- Hurricane-force winds slammed into oil terminals around Port Fourchon, southwest of New Orleans, as the eye of Category 2 Gustav was churning just off the Gulf shore Monday morning, according to radar.

Port Fourchon is packed with oil terminals and distribution facilities. It is the terminal for tankers bringing oil to the U.S. from overseas. The U.S. Department of Energy says 56 percent of the imported and Gulf of Mexico oil entering the United States passes this point.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Gustav has already caused a nearly 9-foot storm surge in Pointe a La Hache, Louisiana, about 40 miles southeast of New Orleans. Another 1 to 3 feet of surge could occur, the USGS said.

Gustav's center was about 85 miles (137 kilometers) south of New Orleans and about 20 miles south-southeast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, at 6 a.m. (7 a.m. ET), the hurricane center said.