Eyewitness

FACED with traffic queues on roads into the city, New Orleans's mayor, Ray Nagin, gave up checking ID badges and car placards designed to keep residents out. Those who returned said if the city was safe enough for repair crews and healthcare workers, it was safe enough for them.

"People need to get home, need to get their houses straight and get back to work," said George Johnson, who used back roads to sneak into the city. "They want to keep you out of your own property. That's just not right."

But once back at home, man...