HOUSTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Hurricane Gustav was no longer expected to reach Category 4 strength before hitting the U.S. Gulf Coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Sunday.

Gustav was expected to have top winds of 127 mph (204 kph), Category 3 strength on the five-stage Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity, the hurricane center said in a report. (Reporting by Jim Loney; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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