Hurricane Harvey Strands Texas Family In New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LA — A southeast Texas family decided to vacation in New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Harvey, and now have to live there temporarily after their homes flooded and the tropical storm pummels Louisiana.

Joe Aldape, his sister Cynthia, his son Joseph and other relatives left the League City, Texas-area and headed east to the Auld Sweet Olive Bed and Breakfast on Rampart Street. And as of Tuesday, the family was left with no other options but to stay, rather than return to their flooded homes.

Now, bands of rain have prompted flash flood watches in New Orleans and sandbags were installed outside the bed-and-breakfast to prevent possible flooding. Business owner Nancy Gunn said the building took on water during flash floods Aug. 5, but it has not flooded yet from Harvey. (For more information on Harvey and other New Orleans stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Forecasters project heavy rain running east from New Orleans to Pensacola along the Gulf Coast.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for all of southeast Louisiana through Thursday. Forecasters say up to 8 inches of rain will be possible through Thursday, with higher amounts possible.

Photo credit: Screenshot of Google Maps photo