A powerful Hurricane Earl threatened to lash much of America’s East Coast, forcing Labour Day holidaymakers to rethink spending the traditional last week of summer at the beach.

Hurricane Ike barrelled toward the Turks and Caicos as a powerful Category 3 storm today, prompting an exodus of tourists and residents from the normally idyllic Atlantic island chain.

A MENACING Hurricane Frances, packing 140mph winds, crept closer to the southeastern United States yesterday, and forecasters said Florida - still cleaning up after Charley - was at risk of another hurricane strike as soon as tomorrow.

Tropical Storm Odette crept over the Dominican Republic and out to the open Atlantic today after unleashing torrential rains that prompted thousands to flee their homes and left at least two dead.