Rita Causes New Flooding In New Orleans

A Department of Homeland Security truck turns around as flood waters swamp a residential area from a second levee overflow on the west side of the industrial canal in New Orleans September 23, 2005. (J.P. Moczulski/Reuters)

"Our worst fears came true," said Maj. Barry Guidry of the Georgia National Guard.

"We have three significant breaches in the levee and the water is rising rapidly," he said. "At daybreak I found substantial breaks and they've grown larger."

Dozens of blocks in the Ninth Ward were under water as a waterfall at least 30 feet wide poured over and through a dike that had been used to patch breaks in the Industrial Canal levee. On the street that runs parallel to the canal, the water ran waist-deep and was rising fast. Guidry said water was rising about three inches a minute.

As for those who refuse to leave, Gov. Kathleen Blanco advised: "Perhaps they should write their Social Security numbers on their arms with indelible ink."

Water rushes over the top of a levee along the Industrial Canal, flooding the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, Louisiana September 23, 2005. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)

Good thing President Bush gave Mayer Nagin a call Monday and talked some sense into him.