‘I could have stayed at home and watched my roof blow off. Instead, I came here and watched the Superdome roof blow off.’

Mary Foster, New Orleans

Superdome and government emergency officials said they did not expect the huge roof to fall because of the relatively small breaches, each about 15 to 20 feet long and 4 to 5 feet wide.

The holes were in an area of vents some 19 storeys above the arena floor.