As Hurricane Ida makes landfall, residents across the region have been advised to shelter in place. According to MSNBC, Gov. John Bel Edwards urged Louisiana residents to hunker down for at least the next 72 hours.  

Earlier Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service for New Orleans echoed the governor’s warning, urging people to shelter in place as the hurricane moves through the area. Dangerous conditions were expected to last through Monday. 

Y’all. This storm has just made landfall. The impacts that you are experiencing now (if in NOLA, Northshore, Baton Rouge, coastal MS) are the beginning. Stay inside and continue to shelter in place! Expect dangerous conditions to last into tomorrow. #mswx #lawx #ida

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 29, 2021

President Joe Biden pledged the full support of the federal government in Hurricane Ida’s recovery. He signed an emergency declaration beginning Saturday, Aug. 28, until further notice.

But as of Sunday evening, thousands in Louisiana were without power due to damage to Entergy’s transmission system. WDSU reported that all of New Orleans was without power. The number of reported outages continued to rise, with close to 750,000 people without service. Officials estimate it could take up to three weeks to restore service in some areas.

Currently about 750,000 without power in Louisiana with ALL of Orleans Parish without power. #Ida #LAwx pic.twitter.com/SO7h4Dgglq

— Tyler Sebree (@TylerWSFA12) August 30, 2021

Covenant House in New Orleans has provided shelter for 60 residents, including young families. They were also providing support to unhoused youth ages 16-22.

#HurricaneIda has made landfall in Louisiana, with winds of 150mph. @CovenantHouseNO staff are with 60 residents, including young families. We’ll continue to share updates as rain and winds threaten New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/xUl41rG7Ry

— Covenant House (@CovenantHouse) August 29, 2021

While people have been advised to shelter in place while the storm rages, but Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services shared information for updates on community shelters.

#HurricaneIda Shelters:

– Tune into news reports for shelters in your community.

– Text LASHELTER to 898-211 or call 211 for statewide drive-up shelters.

– Orleans updates: Text NOLAREADY to 77295.

More shelters will open for those evacuating once the storm has passed. pic.twitter.com/wbgbVoRwQU

— Louisiana DCFS (@LouisianaDCFS) August 29, 2021

In Mississippi, multiple counties listed shelter openings for those unable to evacuate. Self-serve sandbag stations were also listed in Harrison, Hancock, Hinds, and Yazoo counties. State materials suggest public shelters should be encouraged as a “last resort” due to the ongoing surge of the COVID-19 delta variant.

Mutual Aid Networks across the region are putting out calls for volunteers and taking names from people and groups needing support. The Mutual Aid Disaster Relief Network released a sign-up sheet for those needing assistance.

“The Mutual Aid Disaster Relief Network is comprised of organizers in the southeastern U.S., Gulf Coast states, and across the country, who are partnering with local mutual aid and community groups and volunteers on the ground in Louisiana to support a grassroots disaster relief response and communal recovery,” read the form.

Mutual aid support lists were being widely shared Sunday with organizers mobilizing across the region, with people sharing mutual aid donation links and other ways of sending direct support. 

Power is out for all of Orleans Parish, and it’s unclear when it will come back.

Look at this thread for places and individuals to donate to. You can also donate to Mutual Aid Louisiana https://t.co/2T5IOX2UqH

Venmo/PayPal/CashApp: MutualAidLA https://t.co/c83Ncurhlf pic.twitter.com/Be361wnpBU

— Elon Glickman (@elonTglickman) August 30, 2021

Volunteers with the New Orleans chapter of Southern Solidarity remained in town to assist with relief support and providing food to unhoused people. Another Gulf Is Possible is a rapid response network across the Gulf Coast taking donations to distribute to families and communities.   

Another Gulf Is Possible’s #JustIdaRecovery Frontline Resource page is up @ https://t.co/Q8lZEzaAal with mutual aid, orgs to donate to, resources and other kinds of #HurricaneIda prep/recovery information. Please share and keep your prayers up! pic.twitter.com/Vmyw1TeLuS

— Another Gulf Is Possible (@AnotherGulf_) August 28, 2021

The Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund team was raising money and collecting donations of diapers and wipes to distribute post-storm. Emergency blood donations were also being requested in Mississippi.

Donate below to provide diapers, wipes, etc. for baby butts in Jackson. We are expected to lose power here tomorrow and do not know how long some will be without and what road conditions will be with flash flooding making it hard to get to work/stores for essentials like these. https://t.co/ADRJnrw7Se

— I think it’s Elspeth! -Moira Rose (@elizabthcorinne) August 30, 2021

Mutual Aid support networks have become increasingly more commonplace since the start of the pandemic. Solidarity, not charity, is the motto of many groups. Mutual Aid is a way for communities to build collectively and provide support in times of need.

“We will distribute donations directly to indigenous, black, and brown frontline folks impacted by Hurricane Ida and groups who currently don’t have online donations capacity, as well as directly to individual families impacted by the storm,” read the Another Gulf Is Possible’s website.

 

See Also:

Devastating Photos From Haiti Earthquake Show Extent Of Death Toll, Injuries As Recovery, Rebuilding Begins

Saddled With Competing Crises, Residents Manage COVID-19 Surge And Hurricane Ida

 

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