Louisiana officials announce evacuations ahead of Ida landfall

Officials in southern and southeastern Louisiana are telling residents to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Ida, which is expected to make landfall this weekend, bringing heavy rain and flooding to the state.

Local parishes have issued voluntary or mandatory evacuation notices, while a local mayor issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents in multiple towns, NBC affiliate WDSU News reported.

“Terrebonne Parish is as prepared for the impacts of this storm as we can be,” Parish President Gordon Dove said.

“Nevertheless, given the projected strength and storm surge of Hurricane Ida, we must ask residents to evacuate for their safety,” he added.

Residents in the area were asked to evacuate starting at 6 a.m. Saturday and to be out by 5 p.m. The parish is providing a shelter with food and security.

Closer to New Orleans, Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng issued a mandatory evacuation for four towns, asking residents to leave and take vehicles, boats and campers with them.

Others have also been called to immediately evacuate, with Hurricane Ida expected to make landfall Sunday, though tropical storm winds are set to begin overnight, according to the National Weather Service’s office in New Orleans.

Ida will be making landfall sometime Sunday afternoon/evening, however tropical storm force winds (39mph-73mph) will arrive as early as overnight tonight through early Sunday morning. If you plan to leave do so as SOON as you can. Finish up all last minute prep ASAP. #MSwx #LAwx pic.twitter.com/a5I5Gzj1mM

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 28, 2021

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) on Friday urged “voluntary evacuation” and for residents to “shelter in place” but said the city did not have time to issue a mandatory evacuation.

“Hurricane Ida represents a dramatic threat to the people of the city of New Orleans,” she said during a press conference.

The National Hurricane Center announced Saturday that Ida is going to “rapidly intensify” overnight before hitting the U.S.

“This is going to be a MAJOR hurricane. @FEMA has prepositioned key response assets. We urge everyone in the storm’s path to follow directions from local officials on evacuation and preparation,” White House chief of staff Ron Klain tweeted Saturday.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) tweeted that “Louisianans have until nightfall to get ready” for the hurricane, adding, “This storm will bring serious impacts across the state.”

Louisianans have until nightfall to get ready for Hurricane #Ida. This storm will bring serious impacts across the state. Continue to follow @NWSNewOrleans @NWSNHC @NWSLakeCharles along with your local news and listen to local leaders. Now is the time to prepare. #lagov #lawx pic.twitter.com/jTe6FvO8ew

— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 28, 2021

Updated: 11:04 a.m.