La. Officials Tell Evacuees It's Too Early to Return Home

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Gustav Hits Hard

Hurricane Gustav lashed into the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm, but has now weakened to Category 1. The storm's path takes it over the region around the key oil hub of Port Fourchon, which services deep-water oil production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

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There had been concerns that the storm would disrupt energy supplies from the Gulf of Mexico, which accounts for 25 percent of U.S. oil and 12 percent of natural gas production. But Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman said initial flights showed no visible damage to 3,842 oil and gas platforms along the coast, and he expected quick restoration of production.

"At this point we believe there's little damage that has been caused, and within two weeks we can see us approach that 100 percent production level," Bodman said, adding that authorities saw no signs that rigs were set adrift, dragging anchors that could damage pipelines on the sea bed, as occurred in Katrina.

Frank Glaviano, vice president of production at Shell Oil, the U.S. affiliate of Royal Dutch Shell that is one of the biggest operators in the gulf, said the company saw no significant damage and could start production in three to five days.

Oil markets greeted Gustav's passing with relief. Prices slid to $109.71 a barrel, down $5.75 from Friday's closing price but little changed from the price over the holiday in electronic trading.

Bush will visit Louisiana on Wednesday, making several stops to view the havoc caused by Gustav, the White House announced.

By several standards, Gustav was far less destructive than Katrina, officials said.

According to a preliminary estimate by the Army Corps of Engineers, Gustav caused about a tenth as much damage as the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, measured by debris and damaged roofs. Maj. Gen. Don T. Riley, deputy commanding general of the corps, said Gustav damaged the roofs of about 25,000 homes, compared with 200,000 damaged by Katrina and Rita. The corps estimated that it will need to remove 10 million cubic yards of debris, compared with 120 million cubic yards after the 2005 storms, Riley said.

Jindal said the state is deferring to local authorities to determine when different areas are safe enough for residents to go back. Hundreds of buses were waiting to bring people home, and the state is also working with Amtrak and airlines to coordinate the return once local leaders approve it.

Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle alluded Monday night to the pressure on local officials, saying, "I've got people calling me, saying they're paying $125 a night for hotels, and people can't afford that."

Parishes that sustained little damage announced that residents could begin returning Wednesday. Those with more significant destruction said residents will need to wait as late as Friday.

Tuesday, authorities established checkpoints on major roads leading into New Orleans to turn away anyone who tried to come back prematurely.

But despite the warnings from officials, a trickle of evacuees began returning to some areas.