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US Gulf Coast grapples with Hurricane Isaac aftermath Hurricane Isaac: Obama visits storm-hit Louisiana
(about 5 hours later)
Almost one week after Hurricane Isaac came ashore, the US Gulf Coast is still grappling with severe flooding and 250,000 people have no electricity. US President Barack Obama is visiting Louisiana, as the Gulf Coast state continues to grapple with severe flooding and electricity shortages in the wake of Hurricane Isaac.
Unable to return to their homes, thousands of evacuees are in shelters, or with friends and relatives. Thousands of evacuees are in shelters, or with friends and relatives.
President Barack Obama is due to visit the state of Louisiana on Monday to survey the storm's damage.
Seven people - five in New Orleans and two in Mississippi - were killed in the US as a result of the storm.Seven people - five in New Orleans and two in Mississippi - were killed in the US as a result of the storm.
Isaac hit New Orleans seven years to the day that Hurricane Katrina devastated the low-lying coastal city.Isaac hit New Orleans seven years to the day that Hurricane Katrina devastated the low-lying coastal city.
Mr Obama was met in New Orleans by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and city Mayor Mitch Landrieu, before heading off to visit storm damage in St John the Baptist Parish.
His visit comes after Republican opponent Mitt Romney toured storm damage in Louisiana on Friday.
Homeless againHomeless again
On Monday, utilities said that nearly 240,000 people had no electricity in Louisiana. More than 11,000 were without power in Mississippi. About 5,000 were without power in Arkansas. Early on Monday, utilities said that nearly 240,000 people had no electricity in Louisiana, although that figure was lowered significantly to about 100,000 as the day went on.
More than 11,000 were without power in Mississippi. About 5,000 were without power in Arkansas.
"My family is split up," Angela Serpas, resident of hard-hit Plaquemines Parish, told the Associated Press news agency. "This is the second time we've lost our home. We lost it in Katrina.""My family is split up," Angela Serpas, resident of hard-hit Plaquemines Parish, told the Associated Press news agency. "This is the second time we've lost our home. We lost it in Katrina."
Residents who were evacuated from Plaquemines Parish, a vulnerable stretch of land extending to the Gulf of Mexico, will be allowed to return temporarily under police escort on Monday.Residents who were evacuated from Plaquemines Parish, a vulnerable stretch of land extending to the Gulf of Mexico, will be allowed to return temporarily under police escort on Monday.
Over 3,500 people were still in shelters on Sunday, according to the office of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Over 3,500 people were still in shelters on Sunday, according to the office of Governor Bobby Jindal.
Mr Obama's visit to the area later on Monday is expected to include a stop in St John the Baptist Parish.
Thousands of people were forced out of their homes in that area after storm surge drove water over the banks of Lake Pontchartrain.Thousands of people were forced out of their homes in that area after storm surge drove water over the banks of Lake Pontchartrain.
The president is due to meet local officials and see recovery efforts under way, the White House said. On Friday, his Republican opponent Mitt Romney toured storm damage in Louisiana.
Swollen riversSwollen rivers
Crews are also still clearing debris left by Isaac, mostly downed trees and power lines. So far, state workers in Louisiana have cleared 130 miles (209km) of roads. Crews are also still clearing debris left by Isaac, mostly downed trees and power lines. So far, state workers in Louisiana have cleared 130 miles (210km) of roads.
In St Tammany Parish, Louisiana, which lies to the north of New Orleans, authorities were dealing with threats from the swollen Pearl River and a lock under pressure in a canal.In St Tammany Parish, Louisiana, which lies to the north of New Orleans, authorities were dealing with threats from the swollen Pearl River and a lock under pressure in a canal.
The lock was opened to release water and a mandatory evacuation notice was lifted, but officials encouraged residents to stay away from the area.The lock was opened to release water and a mandatory evacuation notice was lifted, but officials encouraged residents to stay away from the area.
In the town of LaFitte, rescue teams intentionally breached a levee on Sunday to ease flooding in the area, the Times-Picayune newspaper reported.In the town of LaFitte, rescue teams intentionally breached a levee on Sunday to ease flooding in the area, the Times-Picayune newspaper reported.
Forecasters are expecting the Pearl River to crest on Monday at 19.5ft (5.9m), potentially putting thousands of homes at risk of flooding.Forecasters are expecting the Pearl River to crest on Monday at 19.5ft (5.9m), potentially putting thousands of homes at risk of flooding.
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the swollen Wolf River is due to crest on Tuesday, weather forecasters said.Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the swollen Wolf River is due to crest on Tuesday, weather forecasters said.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which killed almost 1,800 people, the federal government spent $14.5bn (£9.1bn) rebuilding the city's flood defences. Hurricane Isaac marked the first real test of the revamped system.In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which killed almost 1,800 people, the federal government spent $14.5bn (£9.1bn) rebuilding the city's flood defences. Hurricane Isaac marked the first real test of the revamped system.
Although Hurricane Isaac did not have the same force as Katrina, the storm moved slowly and dumped large volumes of rain on Louisiana and Mississippi.Although Hurricane Isaac did not have the same force as Katrina, the storm moved slowly and dumped large volumes of rain on Louisiana and Mississippi.
Many of the areas hardest hit by the hurricane were not protected by the New Orleans flood barriers.Many of the areas hardest hit by the hurricane were not protected by the New Orleans flood barriers.
At the height of the storm, about 850,000 people were reported to have lost power in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Arkansas.At the height of the storm, about 850,000 people were reported to have lost power in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Arkansas.