When it comes to Gustav's damage, the Folsom area faired well, Police Chief Beau Killingsworth said, adding the majority of the village has power. But other towns and cities in St. Tammany weren’t as lucky.

Madisonville, Mandeville and Covington saw dozens of trees and power lines downed from Gustav’s winds, but the majority of the damage came from rising water thanks to the strong southerly winds that persisted for many hours afterwards.

Mandeville’s Lakefront began flooding around 1 p.m. Monday after Lake Pontchartrain spilled its banks and poured water over the seawall and onto Lakeshore Drive. Mayor Eddie Price said the water has since receded, but it still covers Lakeshore Drive. He also said several homes and businesses did take on water, but as of press time, no initial estimates had been gathered as to the extent of flood damage.

Price also said an initial sweep of the city after the brunt of Gustav passed found nearly two dozen homes had sustained some degree of damage from fallen trees.

"We started cleanup this morning, getting the debris to the edge of the road," Price said. "We met with Cleco this morning to get an update on power, and they said possibly by Friday they could have the city up and running."

Although most of the city is without power, Price said Rouse’s and Winn Dixie supermarkets have tentatively reopened but are currently understaffed.

People are being allowed into the city, but Price cautions those who have the means, to stay put.

"They can come back, but we don’t have any power and barely any stores open," Price said. "We also have a lift station at Causeway and Central that doesn’t have power. Until we get that online, if we get a lot of people here at once, we might have a sewerage problem."

Madisonville also saw flooding when the Tchefuncte River spilled its banks and filled the town with several feet of water. Some business and homes took on water, but like Mandeville, officials have not had a chance to survey the damage.

The water has since receded along Water Street but other roads in the town are still inundated with standing water. Officials from the Madisonville Police Department said power remains out through most of the town with no indication when it will be restored.

Covington’s Bogue Falaya River also topped its banks and flooded surrounding neighborhoods. But the threat of rising water seems to be over as the river continues to recede, Mayor Candace Watkins said. She said there haven’t been any reports of homes receiving damage from the flood waters. Watkins also said residents are being allowed to return home, but power is still down.

"Our biggest problem has been the power out for our sewer system," Watkins said. "It’s best for them (residents) not to return until they and we have power."

Watkins said she hopes power will be restored to the city’s sewer system by tonight.