Just a week after Hurricane Irene, a weaker storm named Lee has caused further problems in the US but this time in the south.

Tropical Storm Lee weakened last night after heavy rain and strong wind gusts knocked out power to thousands in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The storm prompted evacuations over the weekend in bayou towns like Jean Lafitte, where water was lapping at the front doors of some homes.

The sluggish storm stalled just offshore for several hours before resuming its slow march northwards late yesterday.

Lee is still threatening to dump more than 30 centimetres of rain in total, across the Gulf Coast and into the US South-East over the next 48-72 hours.

No injuries were reported, but there were some instances of water entering low-lying homes and businesses in Louisiana.

CNN and WeatherWatch