'A ton of people': Wisconsin family in New Orleans describes terror attack as security expert warns it won't be the last one

NEW ORLEANS, Lou. (CBS 58) -- A local Wisconsin family is in New Orleans, among those impacted by the terror attack.

Jen and Tim Schrauth are the parents of Notre Dame offensive lineman Billy Schrauth. They're in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

But instead of celebrating their son's college football game, they're dealing with the aftermath of the terror attack.

Members of the Schrauth family were in the French Quarter a short time before the attack. The Schrauths are ok. Jen & Tim had gone back to their hotel before the terrorist drove through the crowd.

But authorities kept them, and the teams, in lockdown Wednesday as they investigated.

Tim Schrauth told us, "We woke up to text messages this morning from friends. Are we ok and this and that?" He added, "The town is definitely not as hopping as it was yesterday, correct."

Their New Year's Eve trip to New Orleans was supposed to be a celebration, but now, Jen said, "The authorities have asked that we stay in our hotels today as much as possible."

Jen and Tim, another son, and a nephew spent part of Tuesday afternoon in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street before heading back to their hotel.

Tim said, "There was just a ton of people. But we were not down there last evening."

The attack came a short time later.

It feels familiar to many in southeastern Wisconsin. The similarities to the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade attack are undeniable.

Brian Dorow is a former Assistant Secretary in the Department of Homeland Security. He told us the "Suspect goes around a police barricade, law enforcement is present, and still manages to get on the parade route."

Dorow studies such attacks. He told us, "From a law enforcement perspective, from a community perspective, we know this is not going to be the last one."

He said the motives behind the two may be different, but trying to prevent them is the same. "You're going to see changes in the way we do business. And perhaps even industry standards for what is needed."

Dorow said physical barriers and a law enforcement presence can only do so much to prevent an attack, especially if the attacker has little regard for their own life.

"But when someone's going to take their own life or know that law enforcement is going to stop them, possibly ending their life, that is a very challenging situation to stop."

He added, "If there's a way somebody wants to harm somebody else, they can carry it out. We just have to get better."

The Sugar Bowl game was postponed and rescheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. local time.

There is still some uncertainty and concern on the streets of New Orleans. But the Schrauths will be in the stands cheering on Billy, while also being cognizant of their surroundings.

Tim said, "Hopefully they're hollow threats, but obviously there's concern for everybody's safety."

The Schrauths said they were able to push their flight back a day and keep their hotel another night, a situation thousands of people are in.

The also said they were finally allowed to leave their hotel Wednesday evening for a short time. They spent that time visiting with Billy.