‘Hurricane Isaac’ downgraded to tropical storm as it hits New Orleans

By PATRICK McPARTLIN
Published on 29/08/2012 11:23

TROPICAL Storm Isaac continued to lash New Orleans with heavy rain last night, despite being downgraded, as residents in cars and homes were stranded exactly seven years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

In the bayous of Louisiana, rescuers in boats tried to reach people stranded.

In New Orleans, the newly fortified levee system appeared to be holding, though power lines were downed and debris littered the streets, prompting officials to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

Louisiana officials said they might have to breach a levee in a flooded area as Isaac made a slow, drenching slog inland from the Gulf of Mexico.

Isaac has top sustained winds of 70mph, just below the hurricane threshold of 74mph.