Message #100100

[Bianca]

                                         Gustav loses steam after bulldozing south La.






By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN
and MARY FOSTER,
Associated Press Writers
3 minutes ago

Sept. 1, 2008
 
NEW ORLEANS - Hurricane Gustav is quickly losing its punch after plowing through south Louisiana's fishing and oil industry.


 
The National Hurricane Center downgraded the storm to a Category 1 storm with 90-mph winds Monday afternoon as it sideswiped New Orleans and pushed through the state toward Texas.

Gustav arrived with 110-mph winds and storm surge that had water splashing over the top of the floodwall of the Industrial Canal along the 9th Ward in New Orleans.

But the hurricane's wind and surge haven't been nearly as fearsome as forecasters had predicted.

The storm is expected to move into Texas overnight and drop as much as 20 inches of rain there by Thursday.



THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.