Isaac makes landfall in NOLA

Hurricane Isaac hit New Orleans, Louisiana early Wednesday.

It was exactly seven years ago to the day that Hurricane Katrina devastated the Crescent City.

Although Isaac is a Category 1 and Katrina was a Category 3 when it made landfall, officials say this will be the first test for the city's multi-billion dollar flood defense system.

About 1,000 U.S. National Guard troops have been deployed throughout the mostly deserted city.

Oil production in the Gulf of Mexico nearly ground to a halt and ports and coastal refineries curtailed operations.

The National Hurricane Center warned late on Tuesday that Isaac and its 80 mph (130kph) winds were producing dangerous storm surges, and that flooding was to be expected.