It was perhaps the biggest breakthrough in a day of progress in the ravaged city.
Also on Friday, President Bush visited Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, saying there was still a lot of work ahead for the federal government.
And after returning to Washington, Bush signed a $10.5 billion disaster relief bill. The amount includes $10 billion in supplemental funds for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $500,000 for the Pentagon for its hurricane relief work. (Full story)
Earlier in the day, Bush termed the money a "down payment" and said it was just the beginning.
At the convention center, the thousands of people displaced by the storm -- many of whom have had little or nothing to eat since the storm hit Monday morning -- erupted when the convoy arrived, evacuee Tishia Walters told CNN by telephone.
"Flags went flying, people shouting and waving. There's like 7,000 people out here in dying conditions," she said.
Walters said she was outside of the center when the convoy of about 50 military vehicles carrying National Guard troops and police arrived.
"It's amazing. They've come in full force," she said.
Officials involved in relief efforts are dealing with a number of issues:
Military helicopters continued airlifts throughout the day, ferrying in supplies and taking many people out of the city to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in nearby Kenner. The facility so far has processed 40,000 people, with priority given to the sick and injured, one official said. (Full story)
Two hospitals in downtown New Orleans resumed evacuations despite safety concerns. (Full story)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimated Friday that it will take 36 to 80 days to drain the city. ( ...