Bahamas storm warning called off

Jeanne caused extensive damage in the Dominican Republic

The latest in a series of hurricanes and tropical storms has changed course and is heading away from the Bahamas.

The government there called off all warnings as tropical storm Jeanne took a north-westerly turn out into the sea.

At its strongest, Jeanne killed at least eight people in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

On Saturday, US forecasters issued their final advisory on Hurricane Ivan, which killed more than 100 people in the US and the Caribbean.

US President George W Bush was visiting affected areas in Alabama and Florida on Sunday.

He has declared Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana disaster areas - paving the way for immediate federal funds.

Map: Likely path of tropical storm Jeanne

Florida already had the status of disaster area after being hit by hurricanes Charley and Frances in the past six weeks.

I was warned, but this [Grenada damage] eclipses anything one could imagine Bernard Venzo French ambassador

Electricity remains unavailable in many areas of Florida and Alabama because of damage to power lines.

The latest death occurred north of New York City, when a sailor's boat capsized in rough waters off Connecticut, AFP news agency reported.

A huge relief operation is under way along the Gulf Coast - from Georgia to Maryland - where widespread flooding was caused as Ivan spawned tornadoes before finally moving out to sea.

HURRICANE IVAN TOLL USA: More than 33 killed Grenada: At least 37 dead Venezuela: 5 killed Jamaica: at least 20 killed Dominican Republic: 4 killed Cayman Islands: 1 killed Tobago: 1 killed Trail of destruction Hurricane: Your experiences

And in devastated areas in north-west Florida, people began lining up to buy petrol well before dawn.

More than 33 people were killed by Ivan in the US, in addition to about 70 in the Caribbean with Grenada, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands worst hit.

A French diplomat returning from a mission to Grenada, one of the first islands to be hit by the storm, described "complete desolation" there, according to AFP.

"I was warned, but this eclipses anything one could imagine. Most of the roofs have been blown off, houses are open to the skies, and you even see slabs of walls ripped out, not only in small lightly built houses but in solid, well-built homes as well," Ambassador Bernard Venzo said.

Click here to return