New Orleans Braces for Tropical Storm Isaac

  • 12 years ago
New Orleans' French Quarter was bustling with activity on Tuesday as workers removed balcony awnings and replaced them with thick sheets of plywood. This was in preparation for tropical storm Isaac.

Slate gray clouds blanketed the city as the first weather bands of Isaac came ashore.

Aline Preston is a resident of New Orleans 9th Ward which was decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She has evacuated her home and brought her four children to the French Quarter to weather the storm.

[Aline Preston, New Orleans Native and Katrina Victim]:
"Just taking no chances. As you can see we packed like it's Katrina again because last time we lost everything."

Walter, also a New Orleans native, plans to take shelter in the French Quarter as well.

[Walter, New Orleans Native]:
"We normally evacuate to the French Quarter for storms. It is the highest part of the city and we feel really comfortable down here."

Catherine and Warren Pearson, tourists from Waco, Texas, strolled through the French Quarter searching for a place to eat breakfast.

[Catherine Pearson, Tourist from Waco, Texas]:
"The only bad thing is everything is boarded up and we are not sure there is going to be a place to eat dinner tonight. But so far so good. We will just see."

George Friedman owns two hotels in the French Quarter and says the Pearsons are lucky they have a place to stay. He and many other hotel owners have shut down operations until Isaac passes.

[George Friedman, Owner of 2 Motels in New Orleans]:
"The guests have been vacated. They are gone. We put them out a couple of days ago. Their best chance for safety is to leave because when the power goes off and water shuts down it will be uncomfortable."

Rain and tropical storm force winds are expected in the Gulf Coast region in the next few hours. With it comes the threat of a storm surge and flooding.
With top sustained winds of 70 miles per hour, Isaac fell just short of the 74 mph hurricane status.

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