USA: Louisiana prepares for hurricane “Ida”

“Ida” has already passed over Cuba, now the hurricane is moving with force towards the US coast. The danger to the state of Louisiana and the metropolis of New Orleans is particularly high. Experts warn of catastrophic destruction.

The US coastal regions on the Gulf of Mexico are preparing for the potentially dangerous hurricane “Ida”. Louisiana’s governor, John Bel Edwards, urged everyone to move to a safe place.

He mobilized the National Guard and declared a state of emergency in order to be able to fall back on additional aid. Evacuations were recommended or ordered for numerous cities and municipalities. Traffic was jammed on the highways that lead out of the cities.

Call from New Orleans

Across the region, many people bought supplies and drinking water, as well as gasoline for vehicles and generators, or filled sandbags. Hospitals, which are already heavily utilized with the fourth corona wave, are also preparing.

“Hurricane Ida poses a direct threat to the people of New Orleans,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Because of the rapidly approaching storm, there is no more time to order the evacuation of the entire city. She therefore only ordered the evacuation of particularly endangered areas that lie outside the flood dams. All citizens are called upon to go to a sheltered place before the storm arrives.

209 kilometers per hour

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) had previously warned Louisiana and New Orleans would face massive rainfall, dangerous storm surges and catastrophic gusts of wind. Hurricane “Ida” is forecast to hit land on Sunday in Louisiana as an “extremely dangerous large hurricane”.

On parts of the Louisiana coast, west of New Orleans, a “life-threatening” storm surge of up to 4.5 meters in height can be expected, the NHC warned. For the lagoons of Lake Borgne and Lake Pontchartrain, a good two to three meters can be expected.

The NHC expected the strength of the storm system to increase rapidly over the weekend. When it arrives in Louisiana, it is predicted to be a magnitude four hurricane. Such a storm system brings wind speeds of more than 209 kilometers per hour with it and usually triggers “catastrophic destruction”. According to the NHC, severe damage, flooding and prolonged power outages are to be expected.

Numerous helicopters misplaced

US President Joe Biden was informed about the storm by the civil protection agency Fema and urged all citizens to get to safety. Fema has already sent 500 emergency services as well as water and food supplies and generators to the region, he said. The Coast Guard brought 18 helicopters and numerous boats into the region for rescue missions.

“Ida” hit western Cuba on Friday as a level one of five cyclones. According to reports from the state media, “Ida” had caused power outages there and trees fell over. Thousands of people were brought to safety and public transport in the capital, Havana, was suspended. “Ida” is the fourth Atlantic hurricane of the season. It continued to gain strength over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and was upgraded to a level two out of five hurricane.