A Dire Warning Sent Out to Portions of Southern Louisiana from NWS New Orleans

The following statement from NWS New Orleans that was sent out about an hour ago to their county warning area residents. The amount of damage caused by the winds, flooding, and surge could make conditions unlivable for some time in and around New Orleans. Here is the text from their warning:

Ida will finally pull away on Monday. Winds and rain will finally begin to taper off, but surge could take a while to completely back down since we never quite get offshore flow. These are the last few hours to prepare or leave. Conditions are expected to deteriorate late tonight and especially tomorrow morning. Once sustained tropical storm force winds move in first responders will button down and YOU WILL BE ON YOUR OWN. Please understand this, there is the possibility that conditions could be unlivable along the coast for some time and areas around New Orleans and Baton Rouge could be without power for weeks. We have all seen the destruction and pain caused by Harvey, Michael, and Laura. Anticipate devastation on this level and if it doesn’t happen then we should all count our blessings. Please again, if you have the means to leave, and you are 1 in a mandatory or voluntary evacuation zone, LEAVE; 2 are in a very flood prone area, LEAVE, 3 are uncomfortable and have trees around your house, LEAVE. Do not play around and say “I’ve been through Andrew/Camille/Katrina/Betsy” all storms are different.

Category: ALL POSTS, Severe Weather, Tropical