Hurricane Alex to Hamper Oil Spill Clean-Up Efforts

A hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico is hampering efforts to clean up and contain BP's massive oil spill.

The storm, known as Alex, strengthened to a hurricane late on Tuesday, Reuters reported. The hurricane is forecast to bring strong winds, waves as high as 12 feet and flooding rains. That means clean-up workers have to put on hold operations such as spraying dispersants and controlled burns of oil on the ocean.

The U.S. government estimates that the blown-out well is spewing out 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil a day, Reuters reported.

And on Tuesday, the State Department said the the U.S. would accept offers from 12 countries and international bodies to aid in the cleanup.