The US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, has arrived on the Gulf Coast for a tour of the areas worst hit by Hurricane Katrina.
Amid continuing criticism of the federal government's response to the crisis, Mr Cheney will check if enough is being done to tackle the disaster.
His visit comes as emergency teams work to clear the estimated 10,000 residents who have stayed in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Some are staying in defiance of Mayor Ray Nagin's mandatory evacuation order. Officials have said perhaps 10,000 people remain in the city where water and electricity are cut off.
The national recovery effort may cost US taxpayers $150bn.
Debit cards
Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is handing out $2,000 debit cards to thousands of survivors.
At the Houston Astrodome where 16,000 New Orleans evacuees are being housed, long lines formed for the money.
In Washington, Republican leaders in the US Congress have said the Senate and the House of Representatives will now jointly investigate the response to the hurricane at all government levels.
Democratic Party leaders had called for an inquiry to be held by an independent commission.
