The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) struggled to locate food, ice, water and body bags in the days after the disaster, fretted about media coverage and criticised local officials.

William Carwile, a top FEMA employee in Mississippi, wrote to a state official on September 3: “Biggest issue: resources are far exceeded by requirements.

“Getting less than 25% of what we have been requesting from HQ daily.”

The emails were requested by a House select committee investigating the government’s response to Katrina.