[Yoda]

New Orleans is mostly below sea level and protected by levees or embankments.

Nagin said the levees had given way in places to Katrina's storm surge, including a 200-foot (60 meter) breach near the city center through which waters from Lake Pontchartrain were pouring in.

As I write, Brian Manzella is headed for the Atlanta Airport to catch a seven o'clock flight to Baton Rouge. There he will reunite with his wife, Lisa, and family and begin the reconstruction of his life.

He went to sleep last night thinking that all might not be lost. After all, Fox News was reporting from Bourbon Street, and the pavement appeared as it does after a hard rain. We awoke to this morning's news that the 17th Street Canal had broken, and that 80 percent of New Orleans was now under water. He had mentioned to me yesterday that his home was located near the Canal, and when we heard today's news, I asked him how far his home was located from the breach:

"No more than 150 yards. I could hit a nine-iron to it. My home is gone."

In other words, the storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain entered New Orleans through Brian's front door.

Tough way to start the day.