New Orleans’ flood defences appeared to withstand Hurricane Isaac, but thousands of people to the north and south of the city had to be evacuated or rescued as the storm lingered over the US Gulf Coast with whistling winds and constant rain. At least two deaths were reported.

WHAT should have been a weekend of remembrance of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction became a weekend of worry as Ernesto became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season yesterday.

Adam Nossiter, New Orleans