NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 1, 2021) — Hurricane Ida has been downgraded to a tropical depression but not before leaving more than a million people, and the entirety of New Orleans, without power and causing massive damage to structures, homes and roads in Louisiana. Ida has been ranked as the fifth-largest hurricane to make landfall in the United States, with winds reaching speeds of 150 mph or more. And although it was technically more powerful than Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago, it appears that it has dealt less damage than Katrina's $81 billion in damages and more than 1,600 lives lost. Ida property damage is expected to reach $80 million, according to accuweather.com.
Louisiana has been hit the hardest by the storm and it is expected that it will take a week or more to restore power to the affected areas. In addition to power outages, gasoline and oil prices are expected to rise in the coming weeks as a result of several refineries having to close to weather the storm. Coastal areas have been particularly badly hit, including the small towns of Jean Lafitte, Barataria and lower Lafitte. Jean Lafitte was struck particularly hard by flooding and it is estimated that 90% of homes have suffered serious damage.
Hurricane Ida Stats in Louisiana
- More than 650 people rescued so far.
- Over 700,000 people either without water or under a boil-water advisory.
- Some 25,000 utility workers toiling to restore power.
- A top wind gust of 172 mph.
Although Ida is now just a tropical depression, it is expected to cause more damage in the days to come as it hammers Mississippi and Tennessee. The storm washed out a portion of a highway in Mississippi on Aug. 30, resulting in two lives lost. The death toll from the storm is expected to grow in the coming days as search and rescue efforts begin. The cleanup is expected to take weeks and evacuees are urged not to return at the moment. Learn more about Ida at weather.com.
