Fears the Gulf of Mexico could be struck by a hurricane have been eased after a tropical storm headed for the region weakened.
Production on nearly two thirds of the US oil output from the gulf was shut in as staff were evacuated from platforms ahead of the storm hitting.
Meteorologists had warned tropical storm Karen could hit hurricane strength as it approached, with the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama declaring states of emergency.
Despite the US government shutdown, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had recalled workers to prepare for the storm’s impact.
But by last night the storm had been downgraded to a depression, bringing up to three inches of rain but with windspeeds having dropped to 35mph from the 65mph they hit on Thursday.
“All tropical storm warnings have been discontinued,” the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory. “There are no coastal tropical storm warnings or watches in effect.”
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