Hurricane Barry photos show an otherworldly city, deep under water
For the people of Mandeville, Louisiana, the effects of Hurricane Barry continue to be nothing short of otherworldly.
On Saturday, the now tropical storm made landfall along the northern Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane, leaving tens of thousands across Louisiana and Mississippi without power and otherwise cut off from drier parts of the region.
Areas of widespread flooding varied in severity with some seeing accumulations of 20 inches, while others escaped with substantially lower-than-predicted rainfall.
In Mandeville, just 132 miles from Morgan City where the storm first made contact with land, the shore of Lake Pontchartrain expanded onto city streets. On Lakeshore Drive, photographer Scott Olson captured dozens of residents, many of them couples and families, as they explored the transformed — and largely underwater — portion of their shared home.
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
The road, officially closed off to the public since late Friday, became the central hub for photographic evidence of the storm's power, even as city officials warned people to stay away.
"Officials would like to encourage pedestrians that this is not a sightseeing event," reported local radio station KPEL 96.5, adding, "Your safety is the number one priority."
While an official depth of the flooding along Lakeshore Drive has not been reported, many images show adults up to their knees in water, in spite of numerous flood gates attempting to keep the lake at bay.
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
In addition to the dangers of fast-moving currents and waterborne disease, Louisiana residents have been warned of the presence of water snakes and alligators within floodwaters.
"If the area you live in has high water, watch out for snakes and other critters who are trying to escape the floodwaters as well," noted fire department officials in Slidell, another Louisiana city less than 30 miles from Mandeville.
Still, per Olson's photos, it would appear many Mandeville folks tried to make the best of a bad situation. In a stint of waterlogged romance, numerous couples posed for the photographer among the aftermath for what Olson dubbed a post-hurricane "date night."
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
Others floated along in inner tubes and canoes, holding onto each other to maintain group formation.
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
Foregoing the impromptu swimming opportunity, some ogled the feat of Mother Nature from nearby structures, as waters began to recede and reveal what damage had been done to the community.
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
Atop the flood gates along Lake Pontchartrain, daredevils looked onto the source of the flooding.
Thus far, no hurricane-related deaths have been reported in Mandeville, or elsewhere — although rescue efforts across the region remain underway with at least 12 people rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and more than 120 cats and dogs rescued by The Humane Society.
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
Image: scott olson/Getty Images
Slowly but steadily the storm, now hovering near Shreveport, continues to make its way north.
Although the cyclone is rapidly losing steam, its high water content indicates that rain will continue to befall the region even as those affected attempt recovery — with the possibility of tornadoes still close at hand.
While New Orleans was spared levee-threatening flooding and many of the storm's effects have been less devastating than anticipated, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is urging residents to keep their guards up.
"As Barry moves across the state, we still have several hours of rain, tornadoes, and severe weather ahead of us," the governor posted to Twitter.
"Continue to monitor local media outlets for the latest weather information and important updates from local officials in your area. Be vigilant. Stay informed. Heed directions from officials."
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