New Orleans, USA (AFP) - Hurricane Gustav on Tuesday left at least seven dead in New Orleans, but unlike what happened three years ago with Katrina, the city managed to withstand the cyclone, after millionaire investment strengthened the system levee that protects them from massive flooding.
Converted into a tropical depression was moving towards Gustav Texas after having struck Louisiana on Monday with winds of 175 km / h and torrential rains that made fear that the system for protecting the city re-break as happened with Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when some 1500 people died in New Orleans.
"It was a hellish day, but I think that the worst has happened," said Jimmy Pohlmann, the sheriff's office district St. Bernard, in New Orleans.
"But always seems that when one supposed to have everything under control, something bad happens," he said.
Officials from the city said that the system of dams was "in good condition and holding," despite that had not yet completed its reconstruction after that in 2005 water generated by what Katrina destroyed.
The hurricane hit the U.S. Gulf coast of Mexico on Monday with fierce winds and rains, but the levees strengthened after the tragic floods that caused Katrina managed to resist.
The Army Corps of Engineers U.S. (usage) was responsible for rebuilding the levees damaged in 2005, as well as the strengthening of the system, a network that covers 523 km.
A total of 15,000 million dollars were granted by the U.S. Congress for works to protect New Orleans and its environs of a possible flood of water.
"These walls are safe up top," said Tim days ago the commander of Kurgan Army Corps of Engineers, but "we are concerned about a possible overcoming his height," acknowledged
About two million people fled coastal areas of Louisiana in recent days, one of the largest exoduses in the country's history. New Orleans became the last few days in a ghost town, with barely 10,000 people who chose to stay despite warnings.
More than 3000 officers of the U.S. National Guard patrolling the city alongside local police to ensure security and prevent theft in empty houses, as happened after Katrina.
This Tuesday, 1,400,000 people had no electricity throughout the state of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal informed the governor at a press conference.
Jindal confirmed that the levees withstood the ravages of hurricane, but asked that people be patient before returning.
"It will be a matter of days, not weeks. People will be allowed to return as soon as it is safe to do so," he insisted.
The cyclone caused at least seven deaths in the United States, accidents or transfers of patients from hospitals, bringing to nearly 100 the total number of victims that resulted from their passage through the Caribbean.
This Tuesday were expected new reports of possible casualties and damage.
Meanwhile, Gustav is weakening in their transit by land.
"The comments made in Louisiana on surface indicate that Gustav is now even weaker than a tropical storm," said National Hurricane Center (NHC), based in Miami.
However Gustav remains a threat, especially "due to heavy rains and causing floods that may be associated with them," said NHC.
President George W. Bush on Monday traveled to Austin (Texas) to verify the government response and then pointed out that coordination of relief work has been much better than three years ago.
The cyclone also had strong economic consequences for oil production in the Gulf region had to be suspended.
Bush said this Tuesday at a press conference that it was still "a bit early" to estimate the potential damage to oil infrastructure in the region, but felt that "there are encouraging signs" if one compares the current situation with that of Katrina in 2005.
