US residents mark 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina devastation

A standing-room only audience of first responders to the Hurricane Katrina emergency listen to salutes from past and present state government officials (AP)

Residents of Mississippi and Louisiana have gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of the day that Hurricane Katrina slammed into their states - causing deadly and costly havoc.

Addressing dignitaries at New Orleans' memorial to the unclaimed and unidentified dead, Mayor Mitch Landrieu spoke of the dark days after the monstrous storm and how the city's residents leaned on each other for support.