Storm Surges Flood Venetian Isles, La.

VENETIAN ISLES, La. -- Storm surges from Hurricane Ike had several roads in southeast Louisiana closed because they're under water, according to WDSU TV.

One of the roads is Highway 11, which runs through Irish Bayou.

Low-lying areas in Orleans Parish are seeing a 4-to 7-foot storm surge associated with Hurricane Ike.

Water was lapping over the roads in Venetian Isles on Thursday.

"Ever since Hurricane Katrina hit, we've been getting floodwaters," Wendy Pitre said.

Pitre said she returned home from work to waist-deep water on her street.

"I'm here to get my dogs, and then we're getting out of here," Pitre said.

She said she was able to get her dogs out safely just as a boat rounded the corner dropping people off at their doorstep.

The lights were still on, but until Hurricane Ike loses power, residents said they're keeping a boat close by.

Robby Knecht said he and his family needed a boat to make it home after picking his seven kids up from school.

"Unexpectedly, the water came up quickly for us," Knecht said.

He said he had hoped to take the Chef Menteur Highway home, but rising waters rerouted him and many others.

"This is the worst I've seen it in a while," said Richard MacDonald, who said he was on his way to meet an insurance adjuster about Hurricane Gustav damages to his home.

By 5 p.m. Thursday, levee district crews were sandbagging, and the road officially closed just before 7 p.m.

"An hour from now, even I wouldn't take my Jeep through there," said Hank Sutherland, who was helping people get their belongings out.

Some people got their cars to high ground, but some did not. Several cars in the Rigalets were already under water.

Those living outside of the levee protection system usually see a half foot to 3 feet of water with a storm like Hurricane Ike, but they said state and federal leaders have to do more.

"It's not doing something to protect 400 or 500 people in Venetian Isles or Irish Bayou," Knecht said. "It's about building up wetlands and putting in barrier islands, which in turn will also protect St. Bernard Parish, Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish."