Gov. John Bel Edwards warned Louisianans in the path of Hurricane Ida that time is running out for them to make their final preparations and take shelter before what is expected to be a Category 4 storm begins to batter the Louisiana coast.
Hurricane Ida is expected in Terrebonne Parish around 7:00 p.m. Sunday, but Edwards warned people should complete their final preparations and take shelter in a secure location long before then. Tropical-storm-force winds could arrive on the Louisiana coast as early as 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
“Your window of time is rapidly closing,” Edwards said. “By the time you go to bed tonight, you need to be where you intend to ride the storm out.”
Not much has changed in the track and intensity of Hurricane Ida. Forecasters say that it is because conditions in the Gulf of Mexico between the storm and land are ideal for its rapid development and intensification.
The National Weather Service is “extremely confident” in their prediction of the storm's track and intensity, Edwards said.
The strength of the Category 4 storm may reach historic levels, with sustained winds of up to 130 miles per hour — possibly exceeding those brought by Hurricane Laura one year ago.
“We can sum it up by saying this would be one of the strongest storms to hit anywhere in Louisiana since at least the 1850s,” Edwards said.
Forecasters expect storm surge of 10 to 15 feet between Morgan City and the mouth of the Mississippi River. The most severe storm surge impacts will be in St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche and Jefferson Parish, Edwards said.
Rainfall totals are expected to range from 8 to 16 inches in the direct path of the storm, but some areas may experience totals as high as 20 inches. Edwards said people across the impacted area should be on the lookout for flash flooding, and communities on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain are at an increased risk of river flooding.
As many Louisianans flee coastal and low-lying parishes, Edwards urged them to travel farther than Lafayette and Baton Rouge, which are still in harm’s way.
“I don’t want folks who are further inland to be caught off guard because there is a potential for 110 mph sustained winds as far north as the Louisiana-Mississippi state line, but also from Lafayette through Baton Rouge to New Orleans,” Edwards said, adding that winds of that speed are equivalent to a Category 2 storm’s strength at landfall.
The Department of Transportation and Development reported heavy congestion on the state’s east and westbound interstate highways and urged evacuees take northbound routes via I-59, I-55, I-49, Highway 61, Highway 165 and Highway 171.
There is heavy congestion on the interstate systems going east and west bound. Motorists should consider the northern routes during their travels. More information on the status of state roadways can be found at https://t.co/HeB7jStkTL. pic.twitter.com/mAN6SUTM9N
— Louisiana DOTD (@La_DOTD) August 28, 2021
Shelters across the state began to open Saturday morning, and as of 2:00 p.m., Edwards said only a “few dozen” people were in state-run shelters. Edwards urged as many people as possible to take shelter with friends or family outside the path of the storm to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the coronavirus in a congregate shelter setting.
Edwards advised those riding out the storm in place to have at least three days of essential items on hand, including food, water, medications and personal protective equipment, for all family members and pets.
“The first 72 hours are on you,” Edwards said Friday.
The state continues to gather resources for search and rescue operations after the storm passes.
The Louisiana National Guard has staged 164 high water vehicles, 62 boats, 34 helicopters and has activated 4,013 soldiers to respond to the storm. Edwards anticipates that the entirety of the Guard will be called up to assist — more than 5,000 soldiers in total.
An additional 650 rescue personnel from other states and the federal government are on hand to assist, along with 150 rescue boats managed by the State Fire Marshal, 169 Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents, local law enforcement and volunteers.
More than 10,000 utility workers are standing by in Louisiana to restore power after the storm. Edwards said the state has contracts with a total of 20,000 utility workers who may be called in to restore power as needed.
Hurricane Ida will make landfall exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina, a date Edwards acknowledged as a “difficult anniversary” for many Louisianans who find themselves displaced yet again as another storm bears down on the Louisiana coast.
“Every storm is different — they all bring their own challenges,” Edwards said. “But I also want you to know that we’re not the same state that we were 16 years ago.”
Since Hurricane Katrina, the federal government poured $14.6 billion into the creation of the Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction System — shoring up levees, constructing flood gates, and installing pump systems to better protect the Louisiana coast and low-lying communities.
“This system is going to be tested, and there is no doubt that the people of Louisiana are going to be tested,” Edwards said. “But we are resilient and tough people and we’re going to get through this.”
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