Tropical Storm Isaac staggered toward central Louisiana early Thursday, its weakening winds still potent enough to drive storm surge into portions of the coast and the River Parishes between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Water was rising late Wednesday in portions of St. Charles and St. John the parishes, where evacuations were ordered as water poured in from Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. In neighboring Jefferson Parish, Isaac was pushing water into the fishing village of Jean Lafitte.
The storm's next target would be Baton Rouge, where Hurricane Gustav left its mark in 2008 by leaving the city without power for days.
The state capital was under a curfew, and Mayor-President Kim Holden said the city was preparing for the worst.