Tropical storm Gustav hits Jamaica, aims at US

Kingston: Tropical Storm Gustav has hit eastern Jamaica and forecasters warned it could become a hurricane by Friday.

Heavy rain and winds tore roofs off buildings and uprooted trees in the eastern parts of Jamaica as the storm struck.

Gustav is expected to hit New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico oil fields, prompting evacuations. The storm has killed at least 68 people in the Caribbean.

Energy companies prepared for Gustav to deliver what could be the hardest hit to the heart of the US Gulf oil patch since the devastating 2005 hurricane season.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal put New Orleans residents on alert for possible evacuations starting on Friday and issued a precautionary disaster declaration.

A state of emergency was declared in neighbouring Mississippi.