2012-08-30 09:21:58

Isaac still threatening lives and property


Hurricane Isaac, which has been lashing the US Gulf Coast, has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Nevertheless, the severe weather system still has the potential to do major flooding damage as rainfall remains extremely heavy, particularly as it heads inland over the state of Louisiana. Wind speeds are around 70 miles per hour, just 4 miles per hour below a category 1 hurricane, making it difficult for rescue services to operate. The storm is continuing to strain flood defences. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal told reporters that the storm is likely to linger for some time. “This is a slow-moving storm,” he said, adding, “it is going to cause a tremendous amount of damage.” The elaborate defences built to protect the city of New Orleans after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina seven years ago, meanwhile, did seem to pass their first major test. In districts outside of New Orleans, rising floodwaters forced the evacuation of several thousand people from their homes, but no deaths or serious injuries were reported. Listen: RealAudioMP3








All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©.