Irish missing: Forty Irish families have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs seeking information about relatives in New Orleans.
The Minister, Dermot Ahern, said yesterday he was hopeful all Irish people would be accounted for, but there were continuing worries about one or two.
A newly-wed Irish couple, trapped in New Orleans, have been airlifted to safety.
Michael and Jean Leyden, from Dromahair, Co Leitrim, are believed to have been picked up by the US military from New Orleans yesterday and evacuated to Texas.
The news came unexpectedly when a man travelling with the couple rang Michael Leyden's father to tell him his son was safe. Terence Leyden said: "We have received the news we've been waiting for . . . we are delighted."
The couple's honeymoon was cut short by Hurricane Katrina when their hotel in the Latin Quarter of New Orleans was flooded.
The family of Conor Lally, a 20-year-old student from Blackrock, Co Louth, are hoping he will fly to safety today.
His father, Jim Lally, told The Irish Times last night Conor had first been evacuated to the Superdome and then moved to a hotel. He hopes to fly home from Dallas or San Antonio. He had gone to Carolina on a student visa.
Mr Lally, whose son is a student at Queen's University, Belfast, said conditions were appalling in the Superdome, with rape and gang warfare. "It has been a horrendous time," he added. "Some people have said they would like to interview him when he comes home, but I think the first thing he will need is counselling."
Mr Lally praised the Department of Foreign affairs, describing the service provided as "tremendous".
In an RTÉ Radio interview, Mr Ahern said his department had been in contact with embassy officials since the disaster struck.