BATON ROUGE, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco says the state needs at least $34 billion in federal funds to fortify New Orleans levees and rebuild hurricane-battered highways.
The Democrat said $11.5 billion was needed for repairs to Interstate 10, the major east-west artery, bridges and other transportation-related repairs following Hurricane Katrina's Aug. 29 strike.
She said a further $22.5 billion was needed to shore up and enlarge levees around New Orleans that partially flooded again Saturday with storm surge from Hurricane Rita, which came ashore further west near the Texas state line.
In New Orleans, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials told the Wall Street Journal they expect to drain the water from the area by next Sunday, spokesman Mitch Frazier said. Temporary pumps were expected to be in place Monday.
Despite several feet of water in some parts of the city, Mayor Ray Nagin said he planned to allow some residents to come back to the city as soon as Monday or Tuesday.
