New Orleans largely spared by Gustav

ANXIOUS evacuees across America clamoured to come home yesterday after their city was largely spared by Hurricane Gustav, but Mayor Ray Nagin warned they may have to wait in shelters and motels a few days longer.

The city’s improved levee system helped avert a disaster like Hurricane Katrina, which flooded most of the city, and officials were also aided by a disorganised and weakened Gustav.

Eight deaths were attributed to the storm in the US after it killed at least 94 people across the Caribbean.