Hurricane Ida blasted the Louisiana coast on Sunday, with the eye of one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the U.S. coming ashore near the barrier island of Grand Isle with violent winds of 150 miles per hour.
The National Hurricane Center warned that Hurricane Ida is expected to hit the central Gulf Coast on Sunday as an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 hurricane and bring heavy rainfall, catastrophic winds, flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge to the area. And it’s done just that.
Actions to protect life and property should be “rushed to completion,” according to the NHC. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said on Saturday that residents planning to voluntarily evacuate the city should do so immediately.
President Joe Biden approved a federal emergency declaration for Louisiana ahead of the storm. The Atlantic hurricane season began on Tuesday, June 1, and ends on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) encourages people residing in states along the Atlantic coast to download the FEMA mobile app and learn about how to prepare for hurricanes by visiting Ready.gov and Listo.gov. There is a 60 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to NOAA.
