New Orleans Levees Leaking

Hurricane Rita is expected to make landfall well west of New Orleans, but the city is still under a tropical storm watch. Experts fear that as little as three to four inches of rain could overwhelm the already damaged levee system and swamp the city again.

Some levees are already leaking, reports CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi.

Rita (photos) is supposed to hit well west of New Orleans, but is still on everyone's radar, Alfonsi says.

She's been told there are only about 500 people left in New Orleans after evacuations in anticipation of Rita's arrival on the Gulf Coast. The soldiers and emergency workers who came to the Crescent City to help, have been retreating.

"We are still paying attention880129>," says Mayor Ray Nagin. "Every time I look at the weather reports and see the direction of the storm, it looks like it's pointed toward New Orleans. But maybe I'm a little paranoid right now."

New Orleans' levees were fractured by Hurricane Katrina and were already said to be springing some leaks Friday morning. The first rain bands had made their way into the city and winds were increasing.

The winds are another concern, Alfonsi says, because of the large amount of debris on the sides of roads throughout the city. High winds could easily pick some up, creating projectiles that could cause injuries.

"You got to put your faith and trust in God and whatever happens, just happens," says Leonard Bradley, who is riding out Rita at home.