Hurricane Isaac batters New Orleans seven years to the day since Hurricane Katrina

© Mario Tama/Getty Images
A rescue boat passes a partially submerged
stop sign in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

Hurricane Isaac batters New Orleans seven years to the day since Hurricane Katrina
Aug 30, 2012 | The Guardian

New Orleans issues curfew as torrential rain and harsh winds remain serious threat as storm weakens with little relief in sight

Heavy rain, high winds and floodwaters swept over Louisiana and Mississippi on Wednesday, as Isaac was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm and a fortified levee system appeared to have saved New Orleans from disaster.

Rescuers picked up dozens of residents who had ignored warnings to leave low-lying areas, seven years to the day after hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

Power lines were cut and debris littered the streets, prompting authorities in New Orleans to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Louisiana officials said they would intentionally breach a levee in Placquemines parish, south of New Orleans, as Isaac lumbered inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

Authorities feared many residents would need help after a night of torrential rain and harsh winds knocked out power to more than 700,000 households and businesses.

Isaac has top sustained winds of 70mph (112kph), just below the hurricane threshold of 74mph (119kph).

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