Dozens dead in wake of Ike

Updated 16.53 Wed Sep 17 2008

Keywords: Texas, Hurricane Ike

The death toll from Hurricane Ike has risen to 30 in Texas alone as the US authorities count the cost of the storm.

Officials in the island city of Galveston, which took a direct hit, warned of a growing health threat after 60,000 people were left without functioning toilets and running water.

President George W Bush surveyed the damage from the air and pledged federal aid to millions of people living around Houston who are facing a fourth day without electricity or clean water

Ike also damaged offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, a sign that the full recovery of oil and natural gas production in the region could be delayed.

President George W Bush surveyed the damage from the air and pledged federal aid to millions of people living around Houston who are facing a fourth day without electricity or clean water.

Mr Bush was widely criticised for a botched relief effort in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina killed about 1,500 people in 2005.

The US media has reported dozens more deaths including many in Ohio as Ike's remnants moved inland.