New Orleans awaits Hurricane Katrina

Powerful winds and rain lashed America’s Gulf Coast early today as a slightly weakened Hurricane Katrina charged toward the city of New Orleans with 155-mph winds and the threat of a disastrous storm surge.

The sheer force of Katrina, which was downgraded from a Category Five storm to a strong Category Four as it approached land, had earlier prompted residents to flee or huddle in a sports stadium for safety.