Carbon monoxide poisoning from generator sends 9 people to Louisiana hospital

Nine individuals in a Louisiana parish impacted by Hurricane Ida were taken to the hospital on Tuesday due to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by an improperly operated generator.

The New Orleans Advocate reported that nine people in St. Tammany Parish were taken to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning brought on by a generator operated in a garage.

“9 persons ranging from an infant to middle aged were transported to local hospitals after suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning from using a portable generator in their garage. Last we heard all patients were stable and should recover,” Jason Gaubert, public information officer for St. Tammany Fire District No. 1, said in a statement to The Hill.

Much of the Louisiana’s southeastern region has been left without power two days after Hurricane Ida made landfall on Louisiana, devastating the area with flash floods, power outages and tempestuous winds.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) had tweeted an advisory to Louisiana residents on the proper use of generators on Sunday once Ida made landfall.

“If you are using a generator during or after Hurricane #Ida, please use caution. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, do not use them inside your home and keep them at least 20 feet away from windows and doors,” he advised.

As of Tuesday, power has been restored to about seven percent of Louisiana customers — about 64,000 homes — according to the Entergy energy company.

“Hurricane Ida was one of the strongest storms to ever make landfall in Louisiana,” Entergy said in its update on Tuesday.

“Thunderstorms forecasted for south Louisiana today and tomorrow could hamper our recovery efforts in the area. Ida hit Louisiana especially hard. The worst damage seen so far is in the south, southeast, Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro regions, with significant flooding reported in the southeast region.”