Afternoon update 9/13/08

Just got back from a tour of Bayou Gauche, Des Allemands and Willowdale... things are looking good as we start to bid Ike a fond farewell...

• While Bayou Gauche Island and other areas outside levee protection have flooded, the levee system surrounding the subdivisions in Bayou Gauche and Des Allemands has kept water out of hundreds of homes. On the island, residents are still sandbagging in an attempt to keep water out of their homes. I would estimate the water is at least a foot and a half deep over most of the island. One resident I talked to said his houseboat had floated and crashed up the bayou, and all the crab traps he set in Lake Salvador are likely destroyed. He is moving to Brookhaven, Miss.

• Public Works crews are actively engaged in a flood fight on Up the Bayou Road in Des Allemands. I watched them replenish and build temporary earthen levees along the bayou. There is some water on the road in low areas, but the levees are protecting the houses very well. On Down the Bayou Road, water was splashing over the bulkhead, but not overtopping it. Lafourche residents across the bayou were loading and throwing sandbags to protect their property.

• There is still no sign of flooding in Willowdale or other parts of Luling. But water has crept up onto Highway 90 past the Davis Diversion near the St. Charles / Jefferson parish line. This afternoon it was still passable, but down to one lane in two areas. It seemed as if the water was rising a bit still, but it should be receding soon. It was quite an impressive sight; with flooding on both sides of the highway.

• Entergy this afternoon says there are about 40 customers without power in St. Charles, in Destrehan, Luling, Norco and Paradis. These outages are due to problems with individual homes, a company spokesperson said.

• Pictures and video of all affected areas are coming soon, including Evangeline Road in Montz and footage of the Bonnet Carre Spillway filled with storm surge from the lake.