Not only that, but almost all the highways into the region are closed. Communications are down. No power.
All they can do is watch now.
Speaking of highways...got this off the Times-Picayune blog. I find it amazing that the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway would be structurally sound along all 24 miles of it, but, if it is, then that's another way into New Orleans for aid...provided they can get through the mess on the north side of the lake.
Only way out of New Orleans is West
The only way people can leave the city of New Orleans is to get on Crescent City Connection, head to the West Bank and take Highway 90 to Interstate 310 or I-10 on to Lafayette, authorities said this morning.
Interstate-10 eastbound, toward Slidell and the Gulf Coast, can't be traveled. Several sections of the Twin Spans have washed away and other sections of the bridge are structurally unsound.
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway has been opened to police, fire and other emergency vehicles after an initial inspection concluded the 24-mile long bridge was sound, WWL Radio reported this morning.
No other vehicles will be allowed on the bridge; and access to St. Tammany Parish remains restricted. The condition of U.S. Highway 11 across the Lake is not known.
}:-)4