Balloons and welcome signs decorated Union Passenger Terminal, where people evacuated from New Orleans by bus returned. On hand to greet the returning evacuees were the mayor, police chief, health department chief, city workers who speak Spanish, volunteers, police officers and national guard troops.

Officials said returning people would be given water and meals ready to eat as they head home.

The first bus of residents evacuated by the government made a surprise arrival in the city on Thursday.

From The Associated Press