The number of Americans who have lost jobs from a string of devastating hurricanes rose to 599,700 last week as the effects of Katrina and Rita continued to be felt months after they slammed ashore.
The Labor Department attributed 7,000 claims last week to Katrina, which struck near New Orleans on Aug. 29, and Rita, which hit near the Texas-Florida border on Sept. 24. Wilma, which hit Florida on Oct. 24, resulted in an additional 700 claims last week. Total claims for unemployment benefits increased by 6,000 last week to 327,000, a figure seen as indicating a healthy labor market.
