Early indications suggested that New Orleans had escaped the biblical flooding that had been predicted. While areas south and east of the city had severe flooding, the city itself was largely dry. The initial sense of relief was tarnished by the wanton wave of looting that broke out across the city. Police did little to intervene, since they had much higher priorities of rescuing any people who might be trapped in their damaged homes.

     By late in the afternoon after Katrina's passage, it was realized that several levees aroung the city had been breached. New Orleans' worst nightmare was coming true. The city now began to fill with water from Lake Pontchartrain, which reached depths up to 20 feet within 24 hours. It was not until the level of the water in New Orleans reached the level of the lake that the water finally stopped flowing into the city.