Gulf Coast Cleans Up, Again

DULAC, La. (AP) — Gulf Coast residents are cleaning up the mess left by Francine, which struck Louisiana as a Category 2 hurricane. The system knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, sent storm surge rushing into coastal communities and raised flooding fears in New Orleans and beyond. As heavy rain drenched the northern Gulf Coast, New Orleans awoke Thursday to widespread power outages and debris-covered streets. At its peak more than 450,000 customers were without power. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries.