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Louisiana counts cost of Gustav

02/09/2008

Louisianans are hoping to return to their homes after fears over a powerful hurricane faded.

What was once known as Hurricane Gustav is now dissipating further as it passes north through and beyond the state as a tropical storm.

At least eight people are reported to have been killed after the storm hit the Gulf Coast.

State governor Bobby Jindal has warned of the extensive damage caused by Gustav.

"The storm was expected to head more west," he told a news conference.

"Instead it went through Louisiana and so literally now you have a storm that has caused widespread damage through a wide geographic part of our state."

Up to two million people are also understood to have moved away from the coast in the wake of the storm, while New Orleans completely emptied after all but 10,000 of its 180,000 residents left after a mandatory evacuation order.

Speaking after the storm passed by New Orleans, mayor Ray Nagin warned residents to remain away from the city for at least another 24 hours.

"Re-entry is just days away, but residents shouldn't return Tuesday," Mr Nagin said.

"Trees are down all over the city, power lines are down all over the city, and there is a significant number of homes and businesses without energy."

The storm killed up to 90 people when it passed through the Caribbean, prompting fears it could mirror the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans this time three years ago, killing 1,800 people.