BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Want to get back to Isidore right now, the tropical storm bearing down on the U.S., a huge storm, too, covering almost the entire Gulf of Mexico. Once again, we expect it to reach hurricane strength again by the time it hits landfall sometime tomorrow morning. Standing directly in its path already is Jeff Flock, waiting by and watching in New Orleans -- Jeff, how goes it? Good morning again.</s>JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, good morning to you. Just real quickly this morning, I want to show you -- this is the Mississippi River. The thing about New Orleans that is interesting is it is surrounded by waters. We talked earlier -- that is the Mississippi, and I didn't want to get away this morning without showing you a little bit of the French Quarter and also, what they do to protect it. If Spike (ph) is able to walk out ahead of me there, maybe you see -- that is the levee system out there. Once they think they've got a problem with water, that big tan door there that is off to the left, that begins to swing across and block the water off. That is the levee system, and on beyond that, of course, is the French Quarter, and that is how New Orleans is protected. And of course, this one is going to be a rain event, not so much wind, because it is 60 miles an hour right now, maximum sustained, it is going to be rain, and that -- that could be a real problem. As perhaps you know, the pumps in New Orleans do about a half an inch an hour if they really get going. So, we will see. It could be -- could be a test. That is the latest -- Bill, back to you.</s>HEMMER: Good deal, Jeff. Thank you. Be safe down there. We will certainly be in touch throughout the day here on CNN. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
New Orleans Braces for Isidore's Rains