Residents of Haiti are continuing their struggle to survive the devastation of Tropical Storm Hanna, as officials in the United States prepare for the storm to hit.

People cross an area flooded by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hanna in Savan Desole, Haiti, 03 Sep 2008

Hanna caused major flooding in Haiti this week, leaving at least 61 people dead and many more stranded on rooftops without food or clean water.  Haitian President Rene Preval called the situation catastrophic, and he has appealed for international help.

The United Nations mission in Haiti is assisting with rescue and relief efforts in the hard-hit northern city of Gonaives.

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Hanna could regain hurricane strength Thursday or Friday as it continues on a path toward the southeastern United States.

The governor of the eastern U.S. state of Virginia already has declared a state of emergency, directing government agencies to take action to prepare for the storm.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Ike, an extremely dangerous category four storm, is moving across the central Atlantic Ocean with winds of 220 kilometers per hour.  But U.S. officials say it is too early to determine what, if any, land areas Ike might affect.

Ike is the third major hurricane of this year's Atlantic season.

Forecasters also are monitoring Tropical Storm Josephine, which is hovering in the eastern Atlantic carrying sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.