Hurricane Katrina edges to east

Hurricane Katrina edged slightly to the east today as it bore down on America’s Gulf Coast, providing some hope that the worst of the storm’s 150 mph winds might not directly strike low-lying New Orleans.

Katrina, which weakened slightly overnight to a strong Category Four storm, turned slightly eastward as it closed in on land, which would put the western eyewall – the weaker side of the strongest winds – over New Orleans.