Gusting wind and crashing waves drew a crowd to Lake Pontchartrain in Metairie early Tuesday evening as Hurricane Isaac made its arrival into the New Orleans area. Small crowds of onlookers braved the blustering wind and the levee's muddy slopes to gape at the surf and take pictures near the Bonnabel Boat Launch.
Wave after wave smashed over the pier that extends into the lake near the launch. Amused residents took photos of themselves atop the levee, leaning into the roaring winds. Despite the chaos, three pelicans sat calmly on the chain-link fence surrounding the dog park.
Just after 7 p.m., four people could be seen walking out along the narrow rock jetty on the far side of the boat launch. They marched through the crashing waves, drawing the attention of concerned onlookers who watched from the levee wall and gasped as each spray of water seemingly threatened to sweep them into the churned up lake.
Several East Jefferson Levee District Police officers quickly responded, ushering them away from the lake. The residents were not arrested.