Ike strikes Houston

The densely populated coast of Texas around Houston has been hammered by Hurricane Ike, the biggest storm to hit an American city since Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.

80 kilometres inland, glass-fronted skyscrapers in the centre of Houston were shattered, sending debris flying through the streets. The storm is as big as Texas itself, and with it comes a wall of water that has raised the spectre of catastrophic flooding in and around America’s fourth largest city.

Houston is in virtual darkness. Two-million homes are without power. And there are fears for scores of thousands of people who ignored orders to get out.

President Bush said: “I know there are people concerned about their lives. Some people didn’t evacuate when asked, and I’ve been briefed by the rescue teams there in the area. They are prepared to move as soon as weather conditions permit.”

Ike barrelled into the landmass as a strong category two hurricane, with winds of 175 kilometres per hour.

Seventeen oil refineries in the hurricane zone have been shut – accounting for 22 per cent of US fuel. Bush also announced proposals to make it easier for imported fuel to get into the US market to make up any shortfall.

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