In the New Orleans neighbourhood President Bush visited right after Hurricane Katrina, the US government gave $84.5m (€65.3m) to more than 10,000 households.

Bogus claimants spent up to $1.4bn meant for hurricane victims on tropical holidays, champagne, a divorce lawyer and even a sex change, investigators in the United States have revealed.

New Orleans’ elections for mayor and City Council, scheduled for next February, have been postponed for up to eight months because of the damage and dislocation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Newly-released emails show America’s former disaster agency director discussing his wardrobe during the crisis caused by Hurricane Katrina.

AT least three people died and more than a million were left without power yesterday after Hurricane Jeanne hit Florida’s east coast.

President George W Bush was today visiting hurricane-stricken Florida and Alabama – the third such visit to Florida – as Hurricane Ivan victims faced another day of digging through debris for their belongings and waiting hours in queues for food and water.