Louisiana policewoman flies home

Tami was stranded in London

A Louisiana police captain stranded in London after Hurricane Katrina is flying back to the United States to find her family.

Tami Brisset had come to the UK to represent the New Orleans force in a race around the Tube network to support families affected by the 7 July bombs.

She was due to return home on Tuesday, but the storm disrupted her flight.

She fears her sister and son, 19, are missing in the wake of the storm which has killed hundreds if not thousands.

Home to help

"I'm worried that they are either injured or dead," she told BBC News.

"The last time I saw my sister, she told me to have a good run in the UK for charity and the last time I saw my son, he told me to bring him home a t-shirt"

The first thing I'm going to do is hug my son Tami Brisset

"I'm feeling guilty that I'm not there doing what I need to do which is what I'm best at.

"I feel bad because I don't know the outcome of my family or my home

Captain Brisset had been staying with a retired Metropolitan police officer friend in London. She was due to fly back to Dallas, Texas on Thursday.

She will then drive as close as possible to the scene to try and find missing family members.

"The first thing I'm going to do is hug my son, my family, try and get in touch with my sister and make sure my husband and son are safe," she said.