Up to 100 staff and customers have escaped injury by sheltering at the Windsor Court hotel in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina passed just east of the US city yesterday.
Despite sustained winds of 125mph, the hotel sustained only minor damage and was not flooded like many homes and businesses in the area.
Hotel general manager Tony McHale said: “We are thankful that we weathered the storm safely. Over the next few days we will concentrate on getting guests who rode the storm out with us safely home and supporting our staff and fellow new Orleaneans.”
It has not yet been announced when the hotel is to reopen.
The Louisiana and Mississippi coast were hit hardest by the hurricane with media reports placing the death toll at 80 and the reconstruction bill amounting to tens of billions of dollars.
By Chris Druce
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