# Hurricane Ida to Strike Lousiana Sunday **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635 "2021-08-27T19:04:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/1 "2021-08-27T19:04:54Z")
> **[Intensifying Hurricane Ida expected to strike Louisiana Sunday as a major...](https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2021/08/intensifying-hurricane-ida-expected-to-strike-louisiana-sunday-as-a-major-hurricane/)** > > The Gulf Coast faces prospects of 120 mph winds, a 7-11' storm surge, and 8-16” of rain. Will anyone here be affected? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/2 "2021-08-27T19:17:06Z")
I have to hope my in-laws will be OK. Katrina did a number on them. I can’t believe that was 16 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/3 "2021-08-28T16:28:15Z")
What is the current status of the hospitals in the area regarding Covid? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/4 "2021-08-28T17:03:37Z")
> **[Surgery by day, bedpans at night: Staffing shortages in Louisiana hospitals...](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/surgery-by-day-bedpans-at-night-staffing-shortages-in-louisiana-hospitals-mean-some-workers-pull-double-duties)** > > NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana hospitals are in a state of concern fueled by critical staff shortages and an astronomical number of new COVID-19 infections. The state, in which only 40% of residents are fully vaccinated, is averaging nearly 6,000 cases a... > **[Louisiana COVID numbers: Hospitalizations continue to drop after a week of...](https://www.nola.com/news/coronavirus/article_fd462208-068e-11ec-a8e3-4b818ef770c7.html)** > > The number of COVID patients in Louisiana's hospitals continued to drop on Wednesday after more than a week of steady decline, according to a Thursday afternoon update from the Louisiana > **[New Orleans hospitals, residents brace for perfect storm of Hurricane Ida...](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-orleans-hospitals-brace-hurricane-ida-amid-covid-19-surge-n1277836)** > > Health care officials say they learned some hard lessons from Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago and are better prepared. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/5 "2021-08-28T23:58:45Z")
I have decided to ride this one out. First time I have every willingly stayed for a storm. Most of my neighbors have left. My house flooded in June, so I am actually in relatively good shape there. There isn’t much there to ruin. Of course if the shipping container floods that won’t be covered. All my household good are in the container. FEMA flood insurance only covers the main building. I am staying in a rented condo a couple of miles from my house. They are predicting a significant storm surge. I will be on the edge. Maybe I will stay dry, maybe not. The south Louisiana lifestyle ! The interstates are parking lots. People will be stuck on the road all night. Locals will take the back roads-but there are a lot of locals for the smaller roads. The storm will come ashore about 1PM Sunday. I don’t expect more than tropical storm winds where I am-but as almost always it is the water that causes the misery. That and the power outages. It is 92 and humid during the day. We are now the proud parents of 3 cats. That was one reason I didn’t want to be cooped up in a car all day. They are beginning to get a bit antsy, tomorrow the ones that can will be on top of the cupboards due to the noise if nothing worse. I will post as I can while the power lasts. I expect to lose it during the day tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/6 "2021-08-29T01:54:13Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > We are now the proud parents of 3 cats. That was one reason I didn’t want to be cooped up in a car all day. They are beginning to get a bit antsy, tomorrow the ones that can will be on top of the cupboards due to the noise if nothing worse. I was living on the south shore of Long Island back in the '80s, when a hurricane hit. I was the only person in my building not to evacuate, thanks to my cats. They hid in the closet during the worst of it. It was scary. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/7 "2021-08-29T02:45:51Z")
Keep us posted as much as you can, and stay safe. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/8 "2021-08-29T04:01:05Z")
I’m nowhere near there and don’t think I know anyone in the danger zone, but I am seriously creeped out by this hitting on the Katrina anniversary. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/9 "2021-08-29T04:04:30Z")
If it goes east or west of NO, then we will avert catastrophe. The big danger is having a Hurricane Harvey type event that just parks over the city and dumps massive amounts of rain all over the levee system. I was in South Louisiana when Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992. The winds were terrible, but it’s the water that kills and causes long term damage. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/10 "2021-08-29T14:27:14Z")
I found it odd to see traffic backed up–but only in one direction: > **[Louisiana evacuation gridlock shows why GOP senator is fighting so hard for...](https://www.rawstory.com/hurricane-ida-gridlock-infrastructure/)** > > Americans are trying to flee Louisiana as Hurricane Ida threatens the gulf coast, but many are encountering traffic gridlock.Videos posted to social media show gridlock on the West side of the state as people head for Texas.I-10 west is really backed... Here in SC, after Hugo they set up a system so that during hurricane evacuations lanes would be reversed to that both sides of the highways would be outgoing. It seems like something other hurricane-prone states should have set up, too. > **[Hurricane Traffic Management - South Carolina Emergency Management Division](https://www.scemd.org/prepare/know-your-zone/hurricane-traffic-management/)** > > The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is the coordinating agency responsible for the statewide emergency management program. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/11 "2021-08-29T17:39:11Z")
Ida made landfall this morning as a Category 4 storm near Port Fourchon, LA around 1 pm local time. It looks like that is west of NOLA. The eye is projected to go over Baton Rouge. Unfortunately, the worst storm surge looks to be the east of the eye, so NOLA is going to have a hard time. I hope the levees hold. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/12 "2021-08-29T18:03:49Z")
My BIL & SIL are at the hospital where he works. Their cars are in its elevated parking garage. Hopefully their house doesn’t get flooded again, but they should be OK. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/13 "2021-08-29T18:17:46Z")
They’re probably heading for Houston, either to be with family or where they can find a spare hotel room. About 75-80% of Louisiana’s population is along the I-10 corridor, so that explains the traffic snarls. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/14 "2021-08-29T18:25:32Z")
My point was, both sides should be switched to “out”, not one of each. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/15 "2021-08-29T18:31:36Z")
Depending on where the photo is taken, I guess. If that’s a photo from around Whiskey Bay I think the last thing you’d want are drivers heading into Baton Rouge or New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/16 "2021-08-29T18:48:25Z")
I’m not sure what you are confused about here. In areas about to be hit by a hurricane, one lane is headed _towards_ the hurricane and one lane is headed _away_ from the hurricane. In SC to help speed evactation during hurricanes the _towards_ lane is switched to an _away_ lane so that you have two _away_ lanes and no _towards_ lane. I’m saying that would have been a good idea in this case, too. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/17 "2021-08-29T21:53:23Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Here in SC, after Hugo they set up a system so that during hurricane evacuations lanes would be reversed to that both sides of the highways would be outgoing. It seems like something other hurricane-prone states should have set up, too. We used that for Katrina. It is very unsettling to look in your rearview mirror and see cars in all lanes on both sides coming at you. I was far enough in the front that I was traveling at a good rate of speed. And they just kept following. It was kind of spooky. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/18 "2021-08-29T21:56:55Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > My point was, both sides should be switched to “out”, not one of each. Part of the problem is that in southeast La. you need the cooperation of neighboring states. MS is willing, but such things take a lot of resources to set up. Every entrance to the interstate going the normal way has to be blocked and manned. If not, stupid people will inevitably try to drive the “normal” way and cause major problems. It takes time and resources. It works better in SC where most of the relevant roads are in the state. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/19 "2021-08-29T21:59:28Z")
I am on the Northshore about 90 miles from the eye. Wind is TS strength. Rain is moderate but constant. So far things are looking good, but it is going to get a lot worse in the next few hours. power is flickering. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635/20 "2021-08-29T22:05:15Z")
Covington, I presume? Stay safe [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-ida-to-strike-lousiana-sunday/949635.md?page=2)