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16:20 GMT, Monday, 1 September 2008 17:20 UK

In pictures: Hurricane hits US

A car is washed away in Gulfport, Mississippi, 01/09

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After leaving a trail of destruction throughout the Caribbean, Hurricane Gustav finally crashed into the US coast on Monday afternoon.

A woman walks through the rain in New Orleans, 01/09

A woman walks through the rain in New Orleans, 01/09

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The Upper Ninth ward of New Orleans, one of the worst-affected areas when Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005, quickly felt the effects of some heavy rain from Gustav.

The Industrial Canal flood walls, New Orleans, 01/09

The Industrial Canal flood walls, New Orleans, 01/09

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But Gustav had been downgraded to a Category Two storm by the time it hit the US coast, and it was hoped the city's flood protection measures would hold out.

Dawn over Bourbon Street in New Orleans

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New Orleanians - or the few that were left in the city - woke to a bleak morning, as Gustav approached the Louisiana coast. It was feared the storm could strike at the same strength as Katrina.

New Orleans

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Almost two million people have followed the authorities' advice and left the area, but some people have stayed behind, choosing to see out the storm.

Man looks out of a window of a bar in New Orleans

Man looks out of a window of a bar in New Orleans

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Bars seem to be a popular place to see the storm unfold - and avoid the 10pm curfew.

New Orleans Bourbon Street

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The usually buzzing streets of New Orleans were mainly deserted as the first storm winds and rains hit the city.

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On the coast, Gustav's winds brought storm surges, washing over Highway 90 in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Storm waves in Mobile, Alabama

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Forecasters have warned that the surge could be "extremely dangerous", reaching 14ft (4.2m) above normal.

Weather specialists at National Hurricane Center

Weather specialists at National Hurricane Center

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The strength of Hurricane Gustav has been downgraded from a Category Three to a Category Two, but there is still a risk to life and property.

Crew from weather channel reported from French Quarter in New Orleans

Crew from weather channel reported from French Quarter in New Orleans

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But whatever the weather, television crews are planning to cover Hurricane Gustav, which the New Orleans mayor dubbed "the mother of all storms".

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