“The danger is not over yet,” said Deanne Criswell of the US civil protection agency FEMA Monday morning (local time) the broadcaster CNN. The storm will bring a lot of rain first in Mississippi and later in the states of Tennessee and West Virginia. “So the people in the storm’s catchment area need to remain aware of the risks,” said Criswell.
Criswell also provided an initial assessment of the damage the hurricane left in the southern state of Louisiana. There have been reports of buildings that may have collapsed and a number of hospitals run on emergency generators. You also know that some people need help. More details will be shown in the next few hours. “I don’t think there could have been a worse path for the storm.”
Governor: “Catastrophic Damage”
The governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, described the damage in his state from Hurricane “Ida” as “catastrophic”. The reconstruction will take weeks and months, he said Monday morning (local time) in an interview with NBC TV. The rescue and recovery operations started slowly because so many roads are impassable due to the rubble. He firmly assumes that the death toll will rise “significantly” during the day. “The damage is really catastrophic.”
“Extremely dangerous hurricane”
“Ida” continued to move very slowly, so the places on his path are exposed to extreme winds for a long time. Therefore, great damage is feared. As an “extremely dangerous hurricane” of level four, “Ida” hit land on Sunday noon (local time) and raged for hours. In advance, the NHC warned of heavy rain, a “life-threatening storm surge” and catastrophic gusts of wind. The cyclone brought wind speeds of around 240 km / h when it reached the coast.
All of New Orleans without electricity
The power of destruction was great: on Monday night, the power supply in the New Orleans metropolitan area and also in the city had completely collapsed. “The only electricity in the city comes from generators,” they said. Almost 400,000 people live in New Orleans. It was not expected that the supply could be restored anytime soon, it said. The hurricane damaged all eight lines responsible for powering the city.
“The situation in New Orleans is bad as it is now, with no electricity, but it could be so much worse,” said the governor. He hoped that electricity could be restored “soon,” at least in parts of New Orleans, Edwards said. At the same time, he said it was very gratifying that the New Orleans flood protection system, which was built after it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has held up.
Falling tree fatally injured man
A death was also reported: In the Prairieville community, a 60-year-old man was fatally injured by a falling tree, as has been officially confirmed. The place is located southeast of Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Enormous flooding and damage from the hurricane could be seen in photos and videos. Local media reported that houses were destroyed, streets were flooded, and trees and electricity pylons were broken.
“I’ve never seen so much water”
In the town of Galliano, the storm tore off parts of the roof of a hospital – but no one was injured here, it said. The clinics in the region are currently busy with coronavirus patients in view of the spread of the delta variant, it said.
Low-lying areas southwest of New Orleans, for which evacuation orders had previously been issued, were particularly hard hit. There were also reports of serious damage from the small town of Houma further north with around 30,000 inhabitants, which was directly on the path of the storm.
“We have seen floods and storms before. But I’ve never seen so much water, ”reported Tim Kerner, the mayor of Jean Lafitte, to CNN. “Ida” completely devastated his community. Since a vehicle swept away by the water destroyed a bridge, 200 to 300 residents were stuck. “We can’t put boats in the water, that would be life-threatening,” he said.
Mississippi flowed upstream for hours
“Ida” caused a meter high storm surge on some parts of the coast. As US media reported, the force of the incoming water was so strong that the water in the south of New Orleans in the Mississippi, according to measurements, flowed upriver for around three hours. Meteorologists also warned that the unusually heavy rainfall triggered by “Ida” could cause further flooding. Emergency services stopped work in the area until Monday for security reasons.
Exactly 16 years to the day after “Katrina”
“Ida” hit land in Louisiana exactly 16 years to the day after the arrival of the devastating Hurricane “Katrina”. “Katrina” had caused catastrophic damage and floods in and around New Orleans. Around 1,800 people were killed at that time. Since then, however, billions of dollars have been invested in flood protection in the region.
President Joe Biden declared Louisiana a disaster as the state requested. This means that federal funds can be released for reconstruction and to support affected citizens and companies, as the White House announced. He also visited the headquarters of the US civil protection agency FEMA in Washington.
“It’s going to be a devastating hurricane, a life-threatening storm,” warned Biden. “To the people of the Gulf Coast: I want you to know: We are praying for the best outcome and preparing for the worst.” Biden promised the people the support of the government. “As soon as the storm passes, we will use all the might in this country to rescue and rebuild,” said Biden.
Waiting for rescue and recovery operations
Only when “Ida” has withdrawn can rescue and recovery operations begin. A state of emergency was declared due to the hurricane, the National Guard with around 5,000 soldiers was activated and hundreds of rescue experts were mobilized. In addition, thousands stood by to restore the power supply.
FEMA flew hundreds of helpers and supplies – including millions of meals, drinking water and generators – into the region. Dozens of ambulances and several medical aircraft were also provided. The Coast Guard stationed numerous helicopters and boats for the upcoming rescue operation. The US military was also preparing for an aid mission.
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