Hurricane Ida: the impressive scenes left by the storm after making landfall in the US

Hurricane Ida made landfall in the southern US state of Louisiana as a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Its winds were up to 240 kilometers per hour, one of the most powerful phenomena to have impacted that region.

In Grand Isle, Louisiana, the water entered a building near the beach. A video broadcast on social networks showed how waves arrived accompanied by strong winds and rain in the most intense moments of the storm.

Ida’s force when it made landfall on Sunday was greater than that of devastating Hurricane Katrina, which also made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 29. That time, in 2005, Katrina left 80% of the city of New Orleans underwater and more than 1,800 people lost their lives.

This time, New Orleans was not in the direct path of the storm, but it did experience heavy rains and winds. The authorities called on the inhabitants of the risk areas to take refuge in safe places.

When a hurricane reaches Category 4, it is strong enough to cause severe damage to buildings, trees, and power lines. In Bourg, Louisiana, trees were hit by hurricane force winds.

“There is no question that the next few days and weeks are going to be extremely difficult for our state, but I can also tell you that, as a state, we have never been more prepared,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.

The waters of the Mississippi River were very rough in the vicinity of New Orleans. At one point, the riverbed reversed its direction, according to various reports in the local press, a phenomenon rarely seen.

Louisiana’s exit highways collapsed as residents sought to move to safer places away from the coast. However, President Biden warned that northern regions of the state will also face the effects of Ida.

Community shelters opened doors for the homeless. US President Joe Biden said “this will be a devastating hurricane” and called on the people of Louisiana and Mississippi to exercise caution. “Take this very seriously,” he warned.

Since Friday, tens of thousands of people have chosen to leave Louisiana. The New Orleans airport was crowded on Saturday. By Sunday, all flights to and from the city were canceled.