Hurricane Harvey has produced high winds and extensive flooding forcing thousands of people from their homes.

The closures are expected to cause a temporary spike in US gas prices.

Analysts expect the economic impact of the storm to pass $40bn (£31bn), with direct losses of over $20bn.

The storm's path through southeast Texas and the Gulf of Mexico has hit the heart of the US energy industry, an area home to almost half of US refining capacity and a fifth of its oil production.

Houston, where water has overwhelmed the streets, is also the base of one of America's largest ports.

US gas prices rose around 10% ahead of the storm, said Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US.

He expects prices to jump by another 20-30% over the next two weeks in the Texas region, with less significant increases elsewhere, he said.

Food prices could also be affected, as shipments of wheat and soybeans are delayed, he added.

Globally the impact is likely to be smaller, since the US is not a major source of energy exports and supplies remain historically high.

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BBC News