(NEW ORLEANS). Hundreds of people were evacuated from Hurricane Idas floodwaters by boats, helicopters, and high-water trucks. Utility repair crews also rushed to help those who were trapped.
Residents who lived in the midst of the bayous and rivers along the Gulf Coast posted their addresses to social media, with instructions to search-and rescue teams.
Ida, one the most destructive hurricanes to strike the U.S. mainland, left more than 1,000,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Orleans without power.
Officials warned that it could take weeks to repair the power grid.
On Monday, President Joe Biden met virtually with the Louisiana Governor. John Bel Edwards, Mississippi Governor. Tate Reeves will be joined by mayors of the most affected cities and parishes by Hurricane Ida for an update on the storms' impacts and to discuss the Federal Government's assistance.
After Hurricane Ida, flooding has left many streets and homes in LaPlace. LaPlace, which was hard hit, is wedged between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River. Steve HelberAP
Biden stated that we are working closely with the State and local officials at every stage of the process.
According to the administration, more than 3,600 FEMA workers are currently deployed in Alabama, Florida and Georgia as well as Louisiana, Mississippi, Mississippi, Texas, and Mississippi. FEMA prepared more than 3.4 Million meals and millions of liters water for the region ahead of the storm.
The storm, which was downgraded from a tropical depression Monday afternoon, continued its journey inland with torrential rainfall. It was blamed at least for two deaths: a motorist who drowned near New Orleans and another person who was struck by a tree outside Baton Rouge.
The full extent of the fury was still being felt, with many roads closed and cell phone service unavailable in some areas. Christina Stephens, spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards stated that, given the extent of destruction, There would be many more confirmed deaths.
According to the governor's office, damage to the power grid was a serious concern for anyone without refrigeration or air conditioning in the heat of summer. Highs are expected to rise to near 90 degrees by midweek.
There are many questions that need to be answered. I cannot tell you when power will be restored. Edwards said at a news conference that Edwards could not tell you when all the debris will be removed and repairs made. However, I can assure you that we will work tirelessly every day to provide as much assistance to our clients as possible.
Edwards stated that at least 671 people were saved by federal, state, and local rescuers on Monday afternoon.
Rescuers were on standby to save people from flood-damaged homes in LaPlace, a small community between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River.
Debbie Greco, her son and husband rode through the storm with Grecos' parents in LaPlace. The water reached 4 feet (1.2 meters deep) on the first-floor windows. Once the back door was open, the water filled the entire first floor. They fled to the second floor but the screaming winds blew the roof down as the waves crashed into the front yard.
After waiting in the only dry spot for five hours, they were finally saved by boat.
This will be my last home until I rebuild it. I'm done with Louisiana, declared Grecos father Fred Carmouche (85), a long-time resident.
People pulled out pieces of chimneys, gutters, and other parts of their homes to leave, while residents in a mobile home park wad through floodwaters.
On the 16th anniversary Katrina's 2005 storm, which broke the New Orleans levees and decimated the city, Hurricane Irma struck the shores.
New Orleans seemed to be able to avert the devastating flooding that officials had feared.
After evacuating, Stephanie Blaise returned home to New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward with her father. Although the neighborhood was devastated by Katrina's flooding, it only lost a few shingles in Ida. Blaise did not plan to stay too long, as he didn't know when electricity would be restored.
That is not what we need. I will have to persuade him to go. We have to get somewhere. She said she couldn't keep in the heat.
People who had to evacuate were urged by the city to remain away from the area for at least two days due to lack of fuel and power. Collin Arnold, chief for emergency preparedness, stated that there are not many reasons to return.
The state Health Department stated that 18 water systems in Louisiana, which serve approximately 255,000 customers, were also taken out of service.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, four Louisiana hospitals sustained damage and 39 other medical facilities were still using generator power. Officials claimed that they were moving patients to other areas and were working with many others.
According to the governor's office, more than 2,200 people are currently staying in 41 shelters. This number is expected to increase as people are rescued from floods or escape their homes. According to the governor's spokesperson, they will move people to hotels as soon possible to keep them apart.
Stephens stated that this is a COVID nightmare and added: We do anticipate some COVID spikes associated with this.
According to forecasters, Slidell, Louisiana received at least 15.7 inches while New Orleans received almost 14 inches. Other areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida received 5 to 11 inches.
According to the Louisiana National Guard, 4,900 Guard personnel were activated and 195 high water vehicles, 73 rescue boats, and 34 helicopters were lined up. Hundreds more were being added by state and local agencies. Edwards stated that he did not plan to fly Monday through hurricane damage to add another aircraft.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto stated that 40 people remained on Grand Isle through the brunt and gave the aircraft inspecting them Monday a thumbs up.
According to the sheriff, the road to the island was still impassable. Rescuers will try to reach them as soon possible.
Entergy and the local authorities reported that the hurricane caused widespread outages by destroying a tower carrying key transmission lines from the Mississippi River to New Orleans. According to Entergy, more than 2,000 miles worth of transmission lines and 216 substations were out of commission. The tower survived Katrina.
The storm also caused utility poles to collapse, trees to fall onto power lines, and transformers to explode.
According to the governor, 25,000 utility workers are currently in the state helping restore electricity. More workers are on the way. Edwards stated that we will push Entergy to restore electricity as soon as possible.
AT&T stated that its wireless network in Louisiana had been reduced to 60%, but that it was returning. Many people turned to walkie-talkies. The staff of the governor's office had no working phone. To provide service, the company sent a mobile tower over to the state emergency preparedness office.
Charchar Chaffold fled her home in LaPlace, Alabama to seek help after a tree fell on her house Sunday. She tried desperately to contact her five relatives via text message, but they were unable to reach her.
They last called her Sunday night. After water entered their home, they found themselves in the attic. They said they believed they were going to die. They said they were going to die. I assured them that they weren't and she called for help.
Its 150 mph winds tied it with the fifth-strongest hurricane to hit the mainland. Around midday Monday, its winds dropped to 40 mph (64.8 kph).
Floodwaters made it impossible to travel on roads and in many cases, entire neighborhoods were destroyed in Mississippi's southwest corner. According to the National Weather Service, several tornadoes were reported. One of them was in Saraland (Alabama), which ripped off part of a motel roof and flipped an 18 wheeler. The driver sustained injuries.
Ida was to gain speed Monday night, before pouring rain on the Tennessee River valleys Tuesday, Appalachian Mountain region Wednesday, and the capital of the United States on Thursday.
Forecasters warned of flash flooding and mudslides along Idas path, which will blow out over New England on Friday.
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Reeves reported in Louisiana from LaPlace. This report was contributed by Janet McConnaughey, Kevin McGill, Melinda Deslatte, Washington, Michael Biesecker, Sudhin Thanawala, and Jeffrey Collins, Columbia, South Carolina.
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