Florida hit by hurricane

Florida is again counting the cost of the weather after hurricane Dennis roared through the north-west of the state before moving on to Alabama.

However, the devastation has been less extensive than feared, and far less than the damage caused by hurricane Ivan last year.

Florida, Mississippi and Alabama have been declared disaster zones, allowing them to receive emergency federal aid.

The storm cut power to half a million homes and businesses, with some told it could be three weeks before supply is restored.

Dennis has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves inland but forecasters warn it could still be dangerous, bringing strong winds, heavy rains and possibly tornadoes.

As yet, the extent of the damage to the sectors beleagured citrus industry is unknown, but it is unlikely to be as widespread as hurricane Ivan’s effects, which almost wiped out Florida’s citrus production, causing billions of dollars worth of damage.