New evacuations ordered as storm surge rolls in

Authorities in Plaquemines Parish, where storm surge from Hurricane Isaac caused extensive flooding overnight, have ordered a mandatory evacuation for a portion of the west bank of the Mississippi River.

The evacuation affects people living from Venice north to the Oakville floodgate on Louisiana Highway 23.

A shelter was to open at noon in Belle Chasse.

Officials said the evacuation was ordered out of concern that more storm surge from Isaac would be pushed into the area and levees might be overtopped.

A mandatory evacuation earlier had been ordered for the parish's east bank, where a low levee was topped Wednesday morning, as well as for portions of the west bank.