Hurricane Ida: New Orleans loses power as storm strikes

The US city of New Orleans has lost power, with only generators working, as Hurricane Ida batters Louisiana.

The storm brought 150mph (240km/h) winds when it made landfall and those people who did not flee have been advised to shelter in place, reports BBC.

One person was killed when a tree fell on their home in Ascension Parish, in the Baton Rouge area.

Ida will test New Orleans' flood defences, strengthened after Hurricane Katrina killed 1,800 people in 2005.

President Joe Biden said Ida would be "life-threatening", with immense devastation likely beyond the coasts.

Over 750,000 homes in Louisiana are without power, and Mr Biden said it could take weeks to restore supplies.