NEW ORLEANS — Flooding rains cut off much of the city of New Orleans Wednesday with flooded streets and underpasses that made driving nearly impossible.
Most of the city schools were closed as were all government buildings, in advance of the flood threat and severe weather threat. In addition, residents were given permission to park their cars on neutral grounds.
The rain totals, which, Homeland Security Director Collin Arnold said were between 5 to 8 inches, left “no area immune” to high water.
He said that Gentilly and Mid-City had more flooding issues, while he was comfortable with the situation in New Orleans East, Algiers and in Lakeview.
“No flooded structures at this point,” said Arnold. “There are some vehicle issues at underpasses.”
The weather threat was expected to remain until around 4 p.m.
Arnold said that the Sewerage and Water Board was operating without many additional issues, though, he qualified it by saying, “(It) is working with the power that they have, which is not optimal.”
The city temporarily shut off its public transit due to the flooded roads. In addition, some flights in and out of Armstrong airport were delayed.
Thousands of tourists are expected to flock into town for the popular French Quarter Festival. Arnold expected that it would start on time Thursday, though there are obviously delays in the normal day before preparations.
Southeast Louisiana saw an unusually high level threat of severe weather and tornadoes, with a level 3 out of 5. The northshore of the city saw an extremely rare 4 out of 5 threat level. There were reported tornadoes in Pearl River and Slidell.