By GEORGE MAHL

DESTREHAN – Tropical Storm Isidore was a large tropical storm that packed a hurricane-type punch to some areas in the River Parishes. One of the hardest hit areas was off Airline Highway in Destrehan.

Throughout the years, Ormond Estates residents have been accustomed to seeing its streets flood with relative ease. Most expected Isidore to be a heavy rain maker, yet making it another inconvenience on residents. However, such was not the case for everyone.

“I’m shocked,” said resident Darris Eugene. “This was totally unexpected.”

Eugene, who lives on Villere Drive, said he went to bed at about 1:30 a.m Thursday with only a little water in the street.

“It really wasn’t even enough to clog up any drains or anything,” Eugene said.

When he woke up around 6 a.m., he found not only flooded streets but also water nearly in his house.

“So, I then immediately went and got sandbags to place in front of my front door to prevent anything from going into his house,” he said.

Eugene, who has lived on Villere Drive for about 11 months, said he is lucky he did not get any water in his house because of some recent renovations. ” I laid down some new carpet and some paint. You could say I invested a lot of money into it.”

The former River Point resident describes the feeling of seeing that much water as “Looking like someone opened the spillway.”

Others in the area blamed the way the subdivision was built.

“The subdivision was built wrong,” said neighbor Bobby Kelly. Kelly was one of five men who started making sandbags at around 9:30 a.m to prevent the make-shift levee that is on the other side of the railroad tracks from breaking.

“I think it was getting very high and we thought the water was going to break through,” said Kelly’s wife Keah. Residents said the problem was that there was a five foot hole in the levee that allowed water to run through during the heavy rain bands.

Some parts of Ormond Boulevard saw water up to four feet in depth.

“I think if they would have a better levee than they do right now, then all of our houses would be in better shape,” said a disgruntled Keah Kelly.

Others said they wished that could have been informed more about the impending danger.

“It seems that the TV and radio stations could have done a better job of letting us know what was going to happen. They have to get the word out about these things,” said Peggy Tarullo.

Tarullo said she would like to see some improvements in the near future to prevent any serious catastrophe from happening in the subdivision. “We need the big bags that they use in Kenner. They are more stable than sand bags.”

The Myrtle Street resident said that another 1-3 inches of rain and her house would have been under water. “I feel very grateful and blessed that it did not get any worse.”

As of press time Friday, parts of Ormond had been without power since early Wednesday night. “Entergy came over here once last night to try and fix it, but couldn’t do it for some reason. They are still trying though in another part of the subdivision. Hopefully, it will be on soon,” said Tarullo.

Although it may not look like it, the water down some of the streets seem to be descending. Bobby Kelly said the pumps appear to be slowly catching up and the flow of the water is heading into the ditch.

The arrival of Isidore also meant no school for St. Charles Parish students. That was just fine with 11-year-old Hiren Chudasama.

“I wish we could have four more days in a row off. I don’t care if we have to make them up at the end of the school year.” Andrew Suffrin, 12, is enjoying every minute of his day off. “I like riding my bike through the water when it floods. I’m just glad my parents will let me.”

Like with any tropical storm or hurricane, one of the most least liked chores is having to clean up any mess that was left behind. Whether it’s pulling up carpet or picking up leaves it must be done.

Victor Buccola, a 23-year resident of Seven Oaks Courts, said picking up broken branches after a storm was nothing new.

“It is something that has to be done.” Buccola was helping neighbor Michael Smith cut down a tree and pick up branches that were a result of the tropical storm.

Once Isidore made landfall, many residents started to think about past storms they have been through. “I’ve been here over 20 years and have seen worse,” said Buccola. “I remember Hurricane Juan and even the May 8th (1995) flood.”

Residents said what they remember most about the May 8 flood was the constant dumping of heavy rains for several hours. That was a result of what meteorologists describe as a “training effect,” where several bands of heavy rain come right out of the Gulf Of Mexico.

“This is not as bad as the May 8 flood,” said Bobby Kelly. “I remember all houses in my area had about 14 inches of rain in them.”