NEW ORLEANS—Hurricane Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm on Wednesday, August 29, but not before reeking havoc in New Orleans and surrounding areas. The hurricane crashed upon the shores of southeastern Louisiana as a minimal hurricane on Wednesday morning, but lingered for hours. Torrential rain and strong winds toppled trees and tower lines and flooded roads.

More than 600,000 New Orleans residents were left without power early Wednesday afternoon, according to the New Orleans News (NOLA). By noon, approximately 85 percent of the city was without power. The silver lining of the hurricane is the fact that New Orleans’ new $14.5 billion hurricane-protection system seemed to pass its first test without difficulty, said NOLA.

Other areas south east of New Orleans were not as fortunate and experienced devastating flooding. On the east bank of Plaquemines Parish, the hurricane flowed over the eighteen miles of levees. At a midday news conference, Governor Bobby Jindal stated that 3,000 people may be evacuated out of harms way. Just south of New Orleans in Braithwaite, the national guard rescued dozens trapped on their roofs, said NOLA. Thus far, there have been no confirmed fatalities attributed to the storm.

According to the National Hurricane Center, sustained winds continue to reach nearly 70 miles an hour with higher gusts and rain accumulation of 7 to 14 inches. The storm is expected, however, to gradually weaken during the next 48 hours as hurricane Isaac continues to move farther inland.

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