Hurricane Ida Makes Landfall in Louisiana
The National Hurricane Center indicates that Hurricane Ida is approaching the southeastern coast of Louisiana, US, warns of a catastrophic rise in sea levels.
Louisiana state is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Ida, one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the area in recent decades. It is anticipated to make landfall with winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour, precisely 16 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the US.
In its most recent advisory, the National Hurricane Center warned that the core of the very dangerous hurricane is approaching the southern shore of Louisiana, threatening a catastrophic rise in sea level.
1100 AM CDT #Ida update: Northern eyewall of #Ida moving onshore along the coast of southeastern Louisiana https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/OKocw3oViF
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 29, 2021
In New Orleans, the state's largest city, heavy rains and strong winds blew on the desolate streets, and most shops were barricaded with wood panels and sandbags.
Residents adhered to the authorities' instructions by evacuating their homes or taking shelter inside, while the cyclone raised fears of catastrophic damage.
Hurricane Ida, which is now a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane, is anticipated to hit the shore of Louisiana this afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center.
As the powerful Hurricane Ida rapidly approaches our gulf coast, conditions are quickly deteriorating. If you have not evacuated and are in the affected area along the southeast and south central gulf coast, please seek shelter immediately. #Ida https://t.co/0z60RBTNKO pic.twitter.com/rul5gJVqxg
— LA State Police (@LAStatePolice) August 29, 2021
Hurricane Ida, which reached Category 4 overnight, would be one of the fiercest hurricanes to hit Louisiana since at least 1850, according to Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
Furthermore, US meteorologists advised people not to leave their houses, advising them to stay in a single room with no windows for the next 24 hours.
All gates in the levee system closed. https://t.co/2akhvYg0C8
— NOLA Ready (@nolaready) August 29, 2021
The memory of Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall on August 29, 2005, exactly 16 years ago, is still painful in Louisiana. This hurricane killed more than 1,800 people, and its torrential rains caused tens of billions of dollars in damage.
"It's heartbreaking to think that a similar catastrophic storm like Hurricane Ida could hit on this anniversary, but Louisiana is no longer the same state it was 16 years ago, and it now has a system set up to decrease the dangers connected with hurricanes," according to Governor John Bel Edwards. The system will be put through rigorous testing.
⚠️ If you are in Hurricane #Ida’s path, your only job right now is to stay safely in place. Find the safest place in your house, ride out the storm and stay there until the storm passes. ⚠️ #lagov #lawx
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 29, 2021
Southern Louisiana could be devastated by flooding, with up to 50 centimeters of rain in some places.
The US President Joe Biden announced in a televised speech yesterday, Saturday afternoon, that hundreds of experts will be sent to urgently intervene and prepare reserves of water, food, and electricity generators.
Local authorities, the Red Cross, and other organizations are ready to open dozens of shelters for at least 16,000 people, the White House said on Sunday.
As #Ida approaches, follow instructions from your local officials. Know your evacuation zones/routes & stock your vehicle with supplies.
— FEMA (@fema) August 28, 2021
Find shelter locations:
📲 Text “SHELTER” & your zip code to 43362
🗺️ View a shelter map from @RedCross: https://t.co/gwfNSHNGLc pic.twitter.com/EjU6QBnK4o
According to experts, when ocean surface temperature rises, storms grow more violent. This poses a particular threat to coastal people, who are victims of the tidal wave phenomena, which is exacerbated by rising ocean water levels.
The hurricane is threatening a health-risk area. The Covid-19 variant struck Louisiana, which had only vaccinated a tiny fraction of its population. This weakened its medical system, which is suffering from around 2,700 cases in hospitals and a death toll similar to the toll reported during the peak of the epidemic.
"If someone has to go to a shelter, make sure he wears a mask and try to keep social distancing," Biden said, declaring a state of emergency in Louisiana.
Hurricane Ida, which has winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, struck the coast of Cuba on Saturday and is now heading towards the US state of Louisiana. Hurricane Ida was expected to become a Category 4 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.