Two dead and extensive damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida
Rights — di Andrea Barolini
Louisiana, in the United States, avoided the tragedy of 2005. However, Hurricane Ida killed two people and caused serious material damage.
Two dead and extensive damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida
Louisiana, in the United States, avoided the tragedy of 2005. However, Hurricane Ida killed two people and caused serious material damage.
The mood in Louisiana, in the wake of Hurricane Ida, was one of desolation and relief. Desolation at the extensive damage caused by the powerful storm, classified as category 4 (on a scale that reaches a maximum of 5). Relief at the limited number of casualties: only two people lost their lives. One due to a tree falling on their home in the town of Prairieville. The second while attempting to cross a flooded road in New Orleans.
The tragedy of 2005 and Hurricane Katrina avoided
A toll that is certainly provisional, but which appears infinitely less serious than that of 2005, when the terrible Hurricane Katrina struck the same US state. At the time, 1,836 people died and the damage was estimated at $108 billion. On that occasion, seawater poured into the city of New Orleans through around fifty breaches that the force of the waves had opened in the existing levee system. As a result, the city was literally submerged.
For this reason, Louisiana, with the support of the federal government, spent $14.5 billion to strengthen the system of flood barriers and drainage. It was a titanic undertaking stretching more than 200 kilometres, which also included new pumping stations. A system that helped limit the damage caused by Hurricane Ida.
Flooding in Laplace, LA (permission to use please credit Mike's Weather Page).
Hurricane Ida was downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday 30 August. It left extensive damage in its wake, but time will be needed to assess its full scale. As late as Monday evening, more than one million people were without electricity: only that provided by generators was available in a few locations across Louisiana.
The @USCG conducted overflights to assess damages following #HurricaneIda
Find out more at our #newsroom lnks.gd/2/XMt_RN
Find out more at our #newsroom lnks.gd/2/XMt_RN
Biden: "We will provide all the help that's needed"
United States President Joe Biden spoke again to assure that the areas affected by the hurricane "will be provided with all the help they need. The main priority now is to make this clear." The American leader also urged residents to continue to shelter safely as the storm continues on its path.
"For those who have lost their homes," he added, "we are working together with the American Red Cross and have already identified 50 shelters in the worst-affected areas." As for search and rescue operations, Biden assured that the White House and the forces on the ground "are doing their best."
Images circulating show numerous flooded areas, roofs blown off, and trees and electricity poles brought down.