Detectives across the US are scouring cold case files for possible ties to a man arrested on suspicion of killing three women — fearing he may have killed scores of people.

Hurricane Ida, the first Atlantic hurricane to target the US this year, is closing in on the country’s south east, with Louisiana’s Governor Bobby Jindal having already declared a state of emergency.

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.