KENNER, La. — While Hurricane Francine is no longer a physical threat to southeast Louisiana, local communities will be dealing with the storm's aftermath for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps no more so than Kenner after more than 10 inches of rain inundated the city and left the northernmost neighborhoods of Jefferson Parish in the dark.
"Unfortunately I see flooding from the lake to the river, there's no part of Kenner that hasn't been affected by the storm," Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley told WWL Louisiana. "In the morning when the sun comes up, we are going to see hundreds of homes have had water intrusion.
"This point from Williams [Boulevard] all the way over to Loyola [Avenue] it's almost a lake," he continued. "It seems like the drainage canal is overwhelmed, the Duncan Canal we came over to get to this point as we picked up some officers moving them around. It's heartbreaking to think that some folks just finished with Ida repairs and got back on their feet – and here we go again.
"Haven't seen this kind of flooding from being overwhelmed by this much water from our drainage canals since Katrina, it's sad to say."
Chief Conley said 40-50 cars are stalled out at major intersections as much of Kenner is flooded from Williams Boulevard to Loyola Avenue.
Conley urged residents to continue to shelter in place as police and other first responders continue rescue efforts and assess the widespread damage.
"This message is 'stay off the roads, don't come sightseeing,'" Conley emphasized. "We are working with the city right now to put up barricades in some areas, because what's happening is you're pushing water into people's homes."
Conley warns motorists that Kenner PD will be enforcing all ordinances regarding travelling on flooded roads.
"If you're hear to sightsee, stay out of Kenner," said Conley. "We are here to service our people and get them back on their feet."
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