US President George Bush faces a politically thorny situation – and stark choices – now that Senate Democrats twice have blocked John Bolton’s confirmation as UN ambassador.

Heavy rain drenched parts of Florida early today and heavy surf pounded beaches as Tropical Storm Arlene plodded toward the south-eastern US, chasing a few weather-weary residents into shelters.

Police banged on doors to wake up people whose homes flooded as Hurricane Frances tore through the Bahamas today with violent winds that ripped apart roofs, shattered windows and snapped trees. At least one man was electrocuted in the storm.

NEARLY 1.2 million Floridians were urged to leave their homes yesterday as massive and powerful Hurricane Frances roared toward the crowded south-east US coast.

Hurricane Charley gathered strength and advanced toward Florida today where officials in Tampa urged almost two million people to evacuate and avoid the path of a storm that could submerge parts of the city.

Around a million residents and tourists have been warned to leave parts of Florida over fears that Tampa and other parts of the west coast could be submerged by the massive storm surge when Hurricane Charley strikes the state’s central gulf coast today.

Two hurricanes could strike Florida on the same day – something meteorologists say they have never seen.

Tiger Woods needed only four holes to move from two behind to one in front today as the Players Championship in Florida headed to a Monday finish for the second year running.

For the second year running the Players Championship in Florida golf’s richest event was set to spill into an extra day because of torrential rain this afternoon.