That's not entirely accurate. It's always known that looters can be shot. During hurricane Hugo, Charleston Police Chief Greenberg said he wouldn't arrest the looters as he couldn't spare the people to guard them, but to beat and release them.
I love that man. Just love him.
I believe the quote was: "I'm not going to have my jail filled up with looters. if you catch somebody looting, beat their a$$ and send them on their way."
WWL:
Houma got minimal hurricane winds, no major structural damage visible by reporter. Damage noticeably increased as they drove to NO. Expressway in Westwego(south side of Miss. River) was impassable in places, structural damage in town, heavy damage.