Hurricane Ike ravaged south-east Texas early today, battering the coast with driving rain and ferocious wind gusts as residents who decided too late they should have heeded calls to evacuate made futile calls for rescue.

ANXIOUS evacuees across America clamoured to come home yesterday after their city was largely spared by Hurricane Gustav, but Mayor Ray Nagin warned they may have to wait in shelters and motels a few days longer.

Hurricane Humberto made landfall in south-east Texas early today, bringing heavy rains and winds of up to 80 mph as it made its way to eastern Louisiana, the US National Weather Service said.

Matthew McConaughey’s 1971 Corvette Stingray convertible, auctioned off for hurricane relief, received a winning bid of €48,202, according to the eBay website.