
Residents survey flood damage in Lafitte, La., on Thursday,, Aug. 30, 2012, a day after Hurricane Isaac hit the area near New Orleans. Isaac, downgraded to a depression Thursday, staggered toward north Louisiana, its weakening winds still potent enough to drive storm surge into portions of the coast and the River Parishes between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)
The numbers are the first official damage estimates from the storm, which struck a week ago.
Christina Stephens, spokeswoman for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the figures are "very preliminary," based on an initial assessment of communities with flooding and wind damage.
She says in some areas, flooding limits where damage assessment teams can go. She says the numbers could rise after FEMA finishes its house-by-house inspections in the hardest-hit parishes.
Meanwhile, the widespread power outages caused by Isaac have nearly all been repaired. The Public Service Commission says nearly 38,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity Tuesday, about 2 percent of customers.
About 1,500 evacuees remain in shelters.





