Tropical Storm Hanna knocked out power to the southern Bahamas and authorities from Nassau to South Carolina warned residents to prepare for evacuation as it moved north, growing into a hurricane.

ANXIOUS evacuees across America clamoured to come home yesterday after their city was largely spared by Hurricane Gustav, but Mayor Ray Nagin warned they may have to wait in shelters and motels a few days longer.

Hurricane Hanna reduced to tropical storm strength after hitting the Bahamas today but forecasters said it still posed a threat.

Hurricane Gustav crashed into a mainly-deserted US Gulf coast and delivered only a glancing blow to New Orleans as it weakened and headed inland today.

Tourists and oil workers fled today as Hurricane Gustav swamped eastern Jamaica on a path to hit the Cayman Islands with winds near hurricane force.