What do you mean "they don't know why the water is rising"? The Mississippi is sending rain down from the North and Lake P is rising as well. Shep should get out of the bars.
Water is lapping at the edge of the French Quarter. Water is toxic - oil, gas, etc. Snakes in the water.
My dad still can't get ahold of his sisters (actually in Purvis about 10 miles SSW), but he did talk to their niece who had talked to them. They're ok :-)
Several trees are down, a couple hit the house, but only on the corners.
Still a bandaid house he says - lol