Plaquemines Parish has long history with disasters

(AP) Isaac brought severe flooding to southeastern Louisiana, hitting Plaquemines Parish particularly hard.

Homes were inundated and dozens of people had to be rescued by boat after the storm pushed water over the top of a levee. Officials said they were going to puncture a hole in the levee, but they first had to wait for the winds to die down.

Ever since the Mississippi River laid down this spit of silt and swamp grass, wind and water have conspired to drag it into the sea. And for almost as long, the oystermen, river pilots and others who call it home have refused to let go.

Alvin Sylve is a 52-year-old disabled truck driver from the area.

Sylve says he has never seen the flooding as bad as it was Wednesday.