It's nice to know that a major US city is only a heavy rain away from turning into a post-apocalyptic hybrid of The Road Warrior and Escape from New York. If only President Bush could play a role similar to that of President Donald Pleasence.
(CNN) Widespread looting and random gunfire have been reported across the city. Police told CNN that groups of armed men roamed the streets overnight.
Officers told CNN they lacked manpower and steady communications to properly do their jobs -- and that they needed help to prevent the widespread looting and violence now prevalent in the city.
A police officer working in downtown New Orleans said police were siphoning gas from abandoned vehicles in an effort to keep their squad cars running, CNN's Chris Lawrence reported.
The officer said police are "on their own" for food and water, scrounging up what they can from anybody who is generous enough to give them some -- and that they have no communication whatsoever. Police also told CNN they were removing ammunition from looted gunshops in an effort to get it off the streets.