As Tropical Storm Cristobal has started to slow, the City of New Orleans is issuing a voluntary evacuation order for areas outside of the levee system in Orleans Parish, including Venetian Isles, Lake Catherine and Irish Bayou. While the storm surge forecast of 3 to 5 feet has not changed, Tropical Storm Cristobal has slowed to approximately 5 mph.
Residents in Orleans' coastal communities are encouraged to understand the prolonged risk of storm surge and make decisions that are right for their families. As of now, the Flood Protection Authority East does not anticipate closing the Highway 90 or Highway 11 floodgates.
The photo below, sent from Sharon and Billy, shows just how much the water is rising and how quickly.
Road flooding on Chef Menteur Highway is forcing cars to turn around in the area. Stalled cars can be seen in the water along the road and drivers we spoke with say the water is too deep to test.
"I got almost to the bridge and they had cars on he side of the road that it was going over the roof," one driver said. "I opened my door and when I seen the water coming inside I turned around."