Caribbean/New Orleans

Gustav's edge hits US Coast

Article published on the 2008-09-01 Latest update 2008-09-01 13:07 TU

Residents evacuate New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Gustav
(Photo: Reuters)

Leaving a trail of destruction in Cuba, approaching Hurricane Gustav began lashing the United States Gulf coast today, with storm force winds of 185 kilometres per hour. Almost two million people have fled the State of Louisiana. The exodus is the largest evacuation in US history. Thousands more have left the States of Missippi, Alabama and southeast Texas.

Disaster relief operations are well underway.  Unlike when Hurricane Katrina struck the city of New Orleans three years ago, this time, the local and federal governments' seem to be prepared.  Authorities loaded thousands of people onto buses and warned that those who stay behind will not be rescued.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin also said looters will go straight to jail.

Fearing storm damage, oil companies have shut down over 90 per cent of the area's production facilities.

The hurricane has changed plans for the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Republican presidential nominee John McCain said all convention activities scheduled for Monday will be suspended "except for those absolutely necessary."

US President George W. Bush has cancelled his appearance at the convention and is travelling instead to Texas to monitor the storm.

Meanwhile, in this presidential election year in the US, the Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said he would make his campaign's donor list available to channel money and volunteers towards relief efforts.