Hundreds of people are feared dead after Hurricane Katrina struck Florida and the Gulf Coast region of the US on 29 August.

The force four hurricane caused widespread damage with the cities of New Orleans, Louisiana and Biloxi, Mississippi, among the worst hit.

It is estimated that hundreds of hotels, casinos, resorts and restaurants were affected by the storm, as vast regions were flooded after a levee connecting into Lake Pontchartrain broke and flooded around 80 per cent of New Orleans.

InterContinental Hotels has closed all of its sites in the city and reported that a number of properties suffered damage ranging from moderate to significant. However, all staff and guests staying at the hotels have been accounted for.

Starwood Hotels and resorts has reported damage to two New Orleans hotels, while Marriott closed all 15 of its properties in the city and two hotels in Alabama and Florida.

The 527-room Ritz Carlton New Orleans was closed in the aftermath of the storm and will remain shut indefinitely.

The Hyatt Regency hotel closed its doors and evacuated its guests prior to the hurricane’s arrival.

Most of the region’s airports have also closed due to heavy flooding, forcing airlines to cancel flights in and out of the area.

Biloxi relies heavily on income from tourism attracted by the city’s thriving casino industry.

The hurricane destroyed most of Biloxi’s casinos, with all sites closed indefinitely.

AJ Holloway, the city’s major, said: “The casino mooring systems were designed to withstand winds of 155mph and a tidal surge of 15ft – we experienced winds of 140mph and waves of 28ft.”

According to estimates, Mississippi is losing around US$640,000 (£521,000) in revenue each day the casinos stay closed. In 2004, casino revenues state-wide were US$2.7bn (£1.5bn), with only Nevada and New Jersey generating more.