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New threat to New Orleans on eve of Katrina anniversary

28/08/2008

A state of emergency has been declared in Louisiana as a storm strengthens on the Gulf Coast on the eve of the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Tropical storm Gustav is expected to regain hurricane strength on Friday as it makes landfall in New Orleans.

Tomorrow marks three years since Katrina devastated the city, four-fifths of which was left underwater when levees broke.

Katrina killed more than 1,800 people along the United States Gulf Coast, caused billions of dollars worth of damage in New Orleans and traumatised the entire country.

"Our state is better prepared than it has been before to respond to a major disaster," said state governor Bobby Jindal.

"But I want to emphasise that our citizens have a personal responsibility."

Evacuations in New Orleans could begin early on Friday, Mr Jindal added.

The US national hurricane centre (NHC) said hurricane watches and warnings had been discontinued for Cuba as Gustav, which killed 23 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, moves north-west at 13kmph, with wind speeds of up to 75kmph.