National Guard troops worked with residents to stem the damage from the widespread flooding in Iowa that killed at least three people, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and severely damaged the state's corn crop.

Acting at the mayor’s request, Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco said she would send National Guard troops and state police to patrol the streets of New Orleans after a bloody weekend in which six people were killed.

Many workers returning to the district burst into tears as they left the subway station and were confronted by the pall of dust which hangs in the air, the streets boarded over while they wait to be repaired and the sight of National Guard troops patrolling the streets proving too much for some to bear.