Atlantic storm season picks up pace, new hurricane

NASSAU (Reuters) – A busy Atlantic hurricane season moved into top gear on Monday when Hurricane Hanna developed near the Bahamas just as Gustav’s winds and surge lashed New Orleans and the newly formed ninth storm of the year looked set to eventually threaten the United States or Caribbean.

The flurry of storms was the latest evidence that predictions for a busier than normal season were on the mark, and was worrisome news for U.S. oil and natural gas producers in the Gulf of Mexico, millions living in the Caribbean and on U.S. coasts, and farmers fearing flooded fields.

Reuters