The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that, nearly a week after Hurricane Isaac hit the Gulf Coast, tens of thousands of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas customers remained without power. President Barack Obama, visiting St. John the Baptist Parish, said, "I know it's a mess, but we're here to help."
In St. John the Baptist Parish, residents spent Labor Day dragging waterlogged carpet and furniture to the curb and using bleach and water to clean hopefully to prevent mold.
LaPlace resident Barbara Melton swept mud and debris from her home, which was at one point under 2 feet of water. The garbage, debris and standing water — combined with heat reaching the 90s — created a terrible stench.
"It's hot, it stinks, but I'm trying to get all this mud and stuff out of my house," she said.
Melton was grateful for the president's visit.
"I think it's awesome to have a president that cares and wants to come out and see what he can do," Melton, 60, said.
Read more at the New Orleans Standard-Examiner.