The first death from Hurricane Ida was confirmed late Sunday evening. A 60-year-old man was pronounced dead by the State Health Department after a tree fell on his home.
Hurricane Ida, now a tropical storm, made landfall Sunday afternoon as a category 4 hurricane in Louisiana with a wind speed over 150 mph.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said he “fully expects the death count will go up considerably throughout the day.”
Structural Damage and Rescue Operations
Edwards also said there was over 900 rescue personnel from 16 different states assisting with rescue operations, which began as early as 3 A.M. More than 5,000 National Guard personnel have been activated in Lousiana, as well as Mississippi, Texas and Alabama.
Half the state is currently without power, as well as the entire city of New Orleans. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell reported significant structural damage and building collapses in an interview with Good Morning America.
“We’re seeing some barges and some vessels that may have been broken loose and we’re also experiencing over a million power outages right at the moment,” said Criswell.
Criswell said the storm was, “one of the most catastrophic hurricanes to make landfall” in the Gulf Coast region.
We sadly can confirm our first storm-related death – 60yo male in Ascension Parish who had a tree fall in his home.
— Louisiana Department of Health (@LADeptHealth) August 30, 2021
Tracking Ida
Topical Storm Ida is now roughly 40 miles southwest of Jackson, Mississippi. Flash flood warnings are still in effect for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Tornado watches are also in effect in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Ida is currently on track to move northeast into the Tennessee River Valley by Tuesday. It will continue moving northeast, bringing up to 6 inches of rain along with it. Major flooding from the Interstate-95 corridor from New York City to Philadelphia is possible.
Tropical Storm Ida is expected to continue its course through the northeast, bring potential major flooding.Ida’s landfall on the Gulf Coast comes on the 16th anniversary of category 3 hurricane Katrina. Katrina ravaged the region, leaving more than 1,800 people dead and over $100 billion in damages.
The full extent of the damage by Ida is still unknown.
The story is still developing.
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