Katrina Hits Land; LA & MS Coasts

AP: Hurricane Katrina plowed into this below-sea-level city Monday with howling, 145-mph winds.

Hurricane Katrina plowed into this below-sea-level city Monday with howling, 145-mph winds and blinding rain that ripped away pieces of the roof of the Superdome, knocked out power and flooded some homes to the ceilings. Katrina weakened overnight to a Category 4 storm and turned slightly eastward before hitting land about 6:10 a.m. CDT east of Grand Isle near the bayou town of Buras, providing some hope that this vulnerable city would be spared the storm’s full fury.

CNN: Hurricane Katrina bears down on Mississippi

The National Weather Service said there was “total structural failure” in parts of metro New Orleans with wind gusts surpassing 120 mph.     

Fox News: Katrina Comes Ashore, Slams New Orleans

Houses were flooded, some up to the ceiling, and emergency officials reported that there was one levee break in the area, downriver from the French Quarter. Though the monster storm was already wreaking havoc on the city, its slight change of course could mean less devastation for New Orleans, which is vulnerable because it’s below sea level and directly in the hurricane’s path.

Take a look at the NOLA weblog.

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