Storms threat is still in the air

Oil and insurance companies were today warned by a leading US hurricane forecaster that the storm season could still deliver more devastation despite having passed its statistical peak.

"Conditions are still favourable for hurricanes. People really need to stay on their toes," said forecaster Gerry Bell from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The season runs until 30 November, and forecasters say water in the Caribbean and Atlantic is warmer than usual by between 0.5 and 1.5 deg C.

Forecasters have predicted up to 18 hurricanes this year, but so far there have only been six major storms.

They hit the US from late July to this month, causing billions of dollars in damage. Four storms in a row swamped Haiti, killing hundreds of people.

Gustav and Ike ravaged Cuba before heading off to the US Gulf Coast, where they hit the oil and gas fields, causing less damage than feared but closing down production all the same.