XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS star Lucy Lawless recalls her nightmare escape from New Orleans, Lousiana, to avoid Hurricane Katrina.

The actress has been working on her new movie VAMPIRE BATS when officials issued a mandatory evacuation alert over the weekend, as the category five storm threatened the area.

The hurricane fear made most of the people from New Orleans leave their homes.

"The traffic was going one-mile-per hour sometimes, then it was two-miles-per hour, then five. It took nine hours for what should have taken 50-55 minutes", Lucy said.

"I just realized all those people in incredibly low-lying areas are in such threat. I just worry about them.

"I love this town, I love the heat. I was afraid of coming, working in sweltering heat and swamps, but it's just been pure joy. I would move here if I could work here all of the time", the actress added.


Oscar winner Hilary Swank has also left the city just in time, while the work on her new unnamed thriller was halted over the weekend.