Rescuers Struggle to Reach Ike Survivors

It transmits electricity to help state get through crisis

(USER SUBMITTED) - Wintry storms this week have left Texas scrambling to conserve electricity to prevent widespread blackouts. Power companies are working quickly to restore power, says Gov. Rick Perry, but rolling blackouts swept the state yesterday to help balance the lack of energy. In an ironic turn of events, Mexico's state electricity company began an energy transfer yesterday into Texas through its northern border cities of Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, and Piedras Negras, reports AFP . Regulators even lifted pollution rules to make the transfer possible, notes the Dallas Morning News . The juice is enough to power 56,000 households. More»

545-foot-tall ride is world's largest; no serious injuries reported

(NEWSER) - 173 passengers on the world’s largest observation wheel were stuck for 6 hours today when a fire caused the Singapore Flyer to lose power, AFP reports. 10 of the stranded sightseers were lowered to safety in harnesses, while the rest waited for electricity to return. Its manager said some passengers were “a bit disturbed” by the “very peculiar incident” at the 545-foot-tall attraction. More»

(NEWSER) - President Bush visited Houston and took an air tour over Galveston today, urging Americans to continue contributions to the Red Cross and other charities and promising timely aid from state and federal governments, the Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, Houston Mayor Bill White grumbled about a slow FEMA response to his city, which still has 1.6 million residents without power and a curfew in place until Saturday. More»

'Eye of the aftermath' proves trying for Texas residents in need

(NEWSER) - With a short supply of commodities like ice and gasoline forcing Texans trying to recover from Hurricane Ike to wait in hours-long lines, President Bush warned today the storm may put "upward pressure" on US fuel prices. Refineries and oil rigs sustained extensive, though not severe, damage, the Houston Chronicle reports. Meanwhile, some businesses reopened and FEMA officials say they are “working feverishly” to open 17 food distribution centers today. More»

Prices jump 5 cents nationwide as Gulf shuts down nearly 100% oil production

(NEWSER) - Gas prices have shot up an average of 5 cents nationwide in the wake of Hurricane Ike, which has shut down almost 100% of oil and natural gas production in the Gulf Coast region. Gas prices in the Gulf area have risen as high as $5 per gallon, and an expert warns that many Americans may see the return of $4 gas, reports the Washington Post. More»