Bush was warned before Katrina hit

IN dramatic and sometimes agonising terms, US disaster officials warned US President George W Bush and his homeland security chief before Hurricane Katrina struck that the storm could breach New Orleans's levees.

He was told Katrina could risk lives in New Orleans's Superdome and overwhelm rescuers, according to confidential video footage of the briefings.

Mr Bush did not ask a single question during the final government-wide briefing the day before Katrina struck on August 29, but assured soon-to-be-battered state officials: "We are fully prepared."