Ike causes significant damage

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Hurricane Ike's impact in Texas and Lousiana is becoming more apparent. At least 30 deaths are blamed on the storm and its remnants.

Meanwhile, rescue crews continue to search for people who may be trapped. The Salvation Army is sending crews down to assist in the clean up.

Long food and gasoline lines were reported in Houston, but the airport will reopen with limited service Monday.

Flights stopped coming and going at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport late Friday, a day before the storm slammed into the Texas coast.

Passengers are being urged to check with their airlines before going to the airport to ensure their flights are scheduled and to arrive at least two hours early.

President Bush is scheduled to tour the hardest hit areas on Tuesday and assures everyone that federal aid is on the way.

Federal officials said Ike destroyed a number of production platforms and damaged some of the pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico. Lars Herbst, regional director for the U.S. Minerals Management Service, said Sunday that flyovers revealed that at least 10 production platforms were destroyed by the storm.

Thousands of people are expected to be without power for up to two weeks in the wake of the storm.

Gas prices are also expected to remain high as more damages to pipelines and facilities are assessed.