UPDATE: Louisiana officials ordered the evacuation of about 3,000 people in a parish outside New Orleans on Wednesday, and are continuing efforts to rescue others trapped in the same area by rising floodwaters caused by Hurricane Isaac.

So far, Plaquemines Parish is the area of southeastern Louisiana most damaged by the storm, which has produced 70 mile per hour winds and rain that has caused flooding throughout the region, the New York Times reported.

The National Weather Service downgraded the system to a tropical storm, but inland flooding could still endanger lives in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Authorities have confirmed the death of a 36-year-old man from Vermillion Parish, La., who fell after climbing a tree during the storm, according to USA Today.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has issued a city-wide curfew that will start Wednesday night and last until further notice. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said about 8,200 National Guard members have been dispatched to provide security in parishes like Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines.

"Our focus will be on lifesaving missions across these parishes." Jindal said. The governor also confirmed that about 4,130 residents statewide have sought refuge from Isaac.

The historic French Quarter that serves as the backbone of tourism in New Orleans appeared to avoid the brunt of Isaac, as downed tree limbs, minor flooding at intersections and an overnight electrical outage were the main complications.

Across the border in Mississippi, Isaac flooded several homes in Jackson County and about 100 roads before it died down into a tropical storm. About 584 people were being housed at Jackson County's four emergency shelters to wait out the storm midday Wednesday, according to the Mississippi Press.

 

To read more of Neon Tommy's ongoing coverage of the storm, click here.

Reach Executive Producer Danny Lee here; follow him here.