For almost a full week, Laveau was pushed to its limits.

Hurricane Jolene arrived with little mercy, bringing violent weather, flooding, power failures and a growing sense that the town was losing its grip on normality. Homes and businesses were boarded and secured, residents were forced into shelters, and the streets quickly became unsafe to navigate.

But the storm itself was only part of the story. With the worst of Jolene now behind us, The Ledger looks back to focus on the four days that brought Laveau to the brink and at what happened once the hurricane finally passed.

September 17: The calm before the storm

By September 17, Jolene was no longer a distant threat. Weather conditions deteriorated fast as the hurricane approached land. Power began failing across Laveau while residents scrambled to board up homes and businesses before the storm arrived.

Local authorities urged anyone unable to safely remain in their homes to seek shelter at the official emergency shelter located at the local asylum and clinic.

For many, it was the last chance to prepare before Laveau got hit by the storm.

September 18: Strippers, floodwater and a quite famous alligator

As Jolene battered the city, word spread of an unusual relief effort at The Serpent’s Den, where strippers were distributing food kits prepared by Crooked Key restaurant.

The effort did not last. The Serpent’s Den was reportedly flooded, and a giant alligator somehow made its way inside, throwing the establishment into chaos for several hours. Everyone inside eventually managed to scape the building as weather conditions continued to deteriorate out in the streets.

Workers and visitors reported that the scarred alligator looked strangely familiar, fueling rumors about the local legend many have already named “Pickles.” It would not be the last appearance of the bayou creature that week. Witnesses later reported seeing the same animal roaming the official shelter during the night over the weekend.

September 19: Stolen fuel leaves the official shelter in darkness

September 19 brought a different kind of danger. People sheltering at the asylum began reporting dizziness, confusion, a strange metallic taste in their mouths, and, in some cases, hallucinations. Some claimed the building itself felt alive. Others heard the voices of loved ones including people who had been dead for years. Some heard voices they could not recognize at all. Whether these experiences were caused by exhaustion, stress, the conditions inside the building, or something else entirely remains unknown.

Then things became considerably worse. According to the asylum’s Warden, someone had stolen the fuel reserves powering the shelter’s generator. The building was plunged into darkness, leaving already frightened residents trapped inside the shelter with no reliable power.

Two groups of volunteers eventually risked the flooded streets in search of fuel, attempting to bring the generator back alive and prevent the situation from spiraling further out of control, specially as the night approached.

September 20: Whispers and strange noises coming from pipes and underground tunnels

By September 20, Jolene hadn’t completely moved on, but Laveau was far from recovering.

The strange reports continued. Residents spoke of whispers, voices, and unexplained noises coming from the asylum’s pipes. Outside, rats appeared in unusually large numbers throughout the streets. With Laveau’s tunnels and sewer systems flooded, many were likely forced above ground, adding yet another unpleasant consequence to the disaster.

Looters also took advantage of the chaos, breaking into several businesses. Yet compared with previous years, the destruction appears to have been surprisingly limited. Many of the stolen goods were basic necessities: food, drinks, and other supplies. Whether desperation drove the looting or the thieves simply saw an opportunity remains unclear. What is clear is that, despite the damage, Laveau avoided the level of widespread destruction that could have followed a disaster of this scale.

The Aftermath

Now, the hard work begins. Residents and business owners have spent the first days after Jolene clearing debris, pumping water from flooded basements, inspecting damage, and contacting insurance companies. Some businesses will need weeks to recover. Others are already beginning to reopen their doors.

Laveau is battered, flooded, and exhausted but still standing. The hurricane may have passed, but questions remain. Who stole the shelter’s fuel? What caused the strange experiences inside the asylum? And how much damage is still waiting to be uncovered?

Jolene is not be the first hurricane Laveau has faced, and it certainly will not be the last. Storms may tear through its streets, flood its buildings, and leave destruction in their wake, but this town has proven time and time again that it refuses to be wiped off the map.

Jolene may have passed, but its scars will remain. Laveau, however, remains standing. Picking up the pieces. Rebuilding. And carrying on.