Louisiana sheriff reports first death from Hurricane Ida

The first death resulting from Hurricane Ida has been reported in Louisiana.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office wrote on its Facebook page that an individual was confirmed dead after being struck by a falling tree.

“Shortly after 8:30 p.m. deputies received reports of a citizen possibly injured from a fallen tree at a residence off of Highway 621 in Prairieville. Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed that the victim is now deceased,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

Hurricane Ida blasted New Orleans on Sunday, making landfall as a Category 4 storm and causing widespread flooding and extreme winds. All of New Orleans has lost power as of Sunday evening, with Ida expected to continue as a hurricane late into the night.

The storm was downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane late Sunday evening.

Residents who did not evacuate have been advised to stay inside their homes.

Storm surge warnings are in effect for much of the Gulf Coast region.

“This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory.

The NHC said on Sunday that Ida is expected to rapidly decrease in the next few days, dropping to a tropical storm on Monday.