Evacu ees, floods, damage remain in Isaac’s wake

The slow, pounding wind and rain of Hurricane Isaac let up Thursday as the storm finally left south Louisiana, but not before leaving behind ugly and often sad reminders of its destructive trip. Authorities rescued residents in flooded areas from Pointe a la Hache to Hammond and LaPlace. Some of the worst flooding was in LaPlace, where thousands of residents were forced from their homes and others were trapped as the waters rose. Resident along the Tangipahoa River were given a mandatory evacuation order because a dam was in danger of failing. In Baton Rouge and Denham Springs, the storm’s mark was less severe, but still noticeable in such images as a tilting power pole in Denham Springs that closed a state highway and a row of shredded U.S. flags still waving in Baton Rouge. Many residents still were without power in both cities Thursday, but life was slowly returning to normal.