TROPICAL Storm Isaac has been upgraded a hurricane status as it spirals
relentlessly towards America’s Gulf Coast.
The terrifying vortex threatens to make landfall later today and hit New
Orleans – on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of
the southern US city.
US President Barack Obama has urged people to take the threat seriously,
warning of potential major flooding and damage.
Speaking from the White House, he said: “I want to encourage all residents of
the Gulf Coast to listen to your local officials and follow their
directions, including if they tell you to evacuate.
“Now is not the time to tempt fate. Now is not the time to dismiss official
warnings. You need to take this seriously.”
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said air force planes reported the
storm’s maximum winds had increased to 75 mph, crossing the category one
hurricane threshold.
People living in the path of Isaac were ordered to evacuate their homes
yesterday.
All 50,000 residents of St. Charles Parish and much of the population of
Plaquemines Parish were told to get out of their homes and move inland.
So far, Haiti has been worst affected by the storm, with at least eight people
dead.
The current track of Isaac shows it hitting the northern Gulf of Mexico coast
early tomorrow.
And with up to 15in of rain predicted there are fears that New Orleans will
be swamped on the anniversary of Katrina.
Fleeing residents stocked up on supplies, while petrol stations quickly ran
out of fuel.
But as thousands braced themselves, people in Florida breathed a sigh of
relief.
Isaac had little impact on Key West and southern Florida — as its path took it
away from populated areas.
Weather expert Dan Pydynowski said the city of Tampa had “dodged a bullet”
thanks to the westward track of the storm.
Katrina caused £50billion damage in the US’s worst natural disaster.