Rescue teams are scouring rubble and searched flooded homes in a huge rescue effort after Hurricane Ike cut a swathe of destruction through Texas, knocking out power for millions of people.
State and local officials urged the federal government to speed relief efforts, complaining that crucial supplies like ice and water were arriving too slowly. Some 2 million people fled the region ahead of the storm while about 2,000 were rescued from flooded areas.
"We expect FEMA to deliver these supplies, and we will hold them accountable," a visibly frustrated Houston Mayor Bill White told a televised news conference, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Ike ploughed a destructive path through the state after slamming into the Texas coast early on Saturday, shredding the island city of Galveston and moving inland to pound Houston, the heart of the US oil industry.
Twelve of the 15 Texas oil refineries shut as a precaution but showed no visible signs of flooding or damage - a sign fuel production could resume more quickly than initially thought. However power outages could still hinder their resumption.
Clean-up operations continued in the debris-strewn streets of Houston but there was no chance that the city, a bustling energy centre, would be back to business as usual today. The two major airports servicing the city were to reopen on a limited basis after closing on Friday.
Over 4 million people, several refineries and many businesses remained without power while most gas stations in the area were shut. Restoration, relief and rescue efforts were hampered by downed trees and other damage but flood waters were receding in some areas.
At least three bodies were found in the island city of Galveston which sustained some of the worst damage of the storm. The scale of destruction became apparent as authorities allowed more people to return.
Reuters