A 30-mile scar of debris along the Texas coast stands as a festering testament to what state and local officials say is FEMA's sluggish response to the 2008 hurricane season.

Residents and tourists in Venice waded through knee-deep water Monday as they navigated the city's narrow streets and alleys, and its historic St. Mark's Square was inundated.

Brazil's president asked God to halt the devastating rains that have killed at least 116 people in a southern state and offered new plans on Monday to help tens of thousands of people rebuild ruined homes and businesses.

In New Orleans, a warning to flee emptied the city before Hurricane Gustav in early September. In Houston, a plea to "hunker down" might have kept evacuation routes from clogging before Hurricane Ike struck.

Forecasters are warning it might be a wet ride home for Thanksgiving holiday travelers on the East Coast Sunday.

The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends Sunday, appears to have attained Olympian heights, setting at least five weather records in the United States and Cuba.