A BP executive said today the company expected to be capturing virtually all the oil leaking from the Gulf of Mexico sea bed by early next week.

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.

Hurricane Ivan struck the Alabama coast today with 130 mph winds spawning tornadoes and torrential rain, sending floodwaters surging over roads and swirling around homes. Power was knocked out to 200,000 people.