Hurricane Nate to strengthen as it threatens US Gulf Coast

People in at-risk areas of New Orleans are evacuat

ed as the latest hurricane gathers strength over the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Nate is threatening the US central Gulf Coast after killing at least 25 people in Central America.

Residents in areas outside New Orleans' levee system have been evacuated as the category one hurricane churns northwards through the gulf.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami has issued hurricane and storm surge warnings for southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi and Alabama coasts.

States of emergency have also been declared in all three states, as well as 29 Florida counties, with Nate expected to strengthen as it nears the coast.

It is expected to make landfall on Saturday night and dump up to 10 inches of rain in some areas.

New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu said: "Nate is at our doorstep or will be soon.