Decisions to stay or go as Isaac nears

NEW ORLEANS (KXAN) - There were still plenty of New Orleans party-goers enjoying the nightlife the French Quarter has to offer on Monday night.

However, the restaurants and bars were not as packed as they normally would be after thousands of people hit the highways to get away from the oncoming storm Isaac.

Upgraded to a hurricane on Tuesday and expected to hit land by nightfall, Isaac could dump 10-15 inches of rain over New Orleans during a 36- to 48-hour period, according to emergency management.

But not everyone found that reason to run.

“I think the power will be knocked out,” said Tulane University student Marlene Theberge. “That isn’t as big a hassle as it is to drive four or five hours away.”

The university is closed due to the weather conditions associated with the storm. Officials expect it to reopen on Thursday. Tulane President Scott Cowen is remaining on campus and will be tweeting throughout the storm from @TulaneScott .

Several other people enjoying Bourbon Street shared the opinion that they could handle Isaac’s punch without leaving the city.

But outbound traffic slowed to a crawl along several stretches and gas stations as far as Baton Rouge were also packed with drivers trying to fill their tanks.

Mandatory evacuations were made in several low-lying parishes, but were not expected in the New Orleans Central Business District.

Nearly $15 billion has been spent on levy construction since Hurricane Katrina , the deadly storm that devastated New Orleans nearly seven years ago to the day.