8/28/2021- 8:40 p.m.
As Hurricane Ida gains strength in the gulf and landfall is imminent, all across Louisiana, Troopers are out monitoring road and weather conditions as we prepare for the storm. We are experiencing a major increase in traffic as motorists travel to a safer area.
Motorists are urged to exercise patience and drive courteously as they encounter traffic congestion. Always buckle your seat belt and refrain from aggressive, distracted and impaired driving to greatly reduce your chances of being severely injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash. Please use alternate routes to avoid congestion.
Traffic Advisories:
I-10
Traffic congestion on I-10 westbound begins on I-10 in New Orleans and continues onto I-10 in Lake Charles with intermittent relief throughout. Traffic congestion on I-10 eastbound begins in New Orleans and continues into Mississippi.
U.S. Hwy 90
Traffic congestion on U.S. Hwy 90 begins near Morgan City and continues toward Terrebonne/Assumption Parish line.
We ask that motorists take the necessary precautions as they begin to travel, such as:
• Fuel up your vehicle prior to traveling, as fuel may become scarce.
• Be sure to pack any necessary medications, non-perishable food items, and water.
• Remember to pack critical documents, and chargers for communication purposes, should an emergency arise.
Hurricane preparations and any evacuation plans should be finalized. Listen to your parish officials regarding mandatory and voluntary evacuations.
Motorists are urged to call LSP (577) only in the event of roadside emergencies and not for informational purposes.
For information about shelters, call 211.
For road closure information, motorists can utilize the 511 phone system, 511la.org, or Louisiana 511 smartphone application.
For updates related to Hurricane Ida, citizens can text “Ida” to 67283
Hurricane Ida advanced Saturday toward a catastrophic collision with the Louisiana coast just south of Houma as a Category 4 storm with top winds of 130 mph just before landfall, life-threatening storm surge of at least 9 feet above ground level and almost two feet of rain.
National Hurricane Center forecasters expected Ida’s top winds to be about 130 mph when its center approaches Terrebonne Bay on Sunday at 1 p.m., accompanied by gusts as high as 160 mph. It was expected to move onshore during the evening of the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
On Saturday at 7 p.m., Ida’s eye was about 200 miles south southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and about 285 miles southeast of Houma. The storm had top winds of 105 mph, Category 2 strength, and was moving northwest towards the Louisiana coast at 16 mph.
