8/29/2021- 1:34 p.m.
HURRICANE IDA The CAT 4 storm is moving ashore just west of Grand Isle, LA with winds of 150 mph.
➡️ Ida is tied for the strongest hurricane to ever move ashore in Louisiana. The Last Island hurricane (1856) & Laura (2020) also had 150 mph winds.
➡️ UNBELIEVABLE: The Mississippi River is flowing backwards due to storm surge moving up the river.
➡️ HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF: The nearby “Last Island” hurricane decimated the vacationing paradise island of Isle Dernière in 1856. Every structure was destroyed & the barrier island was split apart. Isle Dernière is now a bird preserve. Today, I’m concerned for Grand Isle, LA & nearby barrier islands. 40 residents of Grand Isle opted to not evacuate.
➡️ WATCHING THE LEVEES: The Army Corp has said that some of the levees along the west bank of the Mississippi River could be overtopped by storm surge. But, the Army Corp is hopeful that the considerable improvements done to the levee systems will hold the storm surge, unlike what happened with Katrina. Praying this is true.
➡️ Louisiana is the first state in 170+ years of record keeping to endure back to back seasons w/ a 150+ mph land falling hurricane.
➡️ Ida is the farthest north hurricane in the Atlantic/Gulf to deepen (aka strengthen) 50 millibars in 24 hours or less.
➡️ Ida had an increase of 65 mph winds in 24 hours, nearly double the definition of “rapid intensification”.
➡️ Personal Note: I have witnessed numerous disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes). I’m fascinated by the weather. But, despite the awe of a powerful storm, it’s not “exciting” or “cool”. Folks livelihoods & lives are being greatly impacted. Landfalling storms this powerful make me feel sick to my stomach. I know that I’m not alone with this sentiment. Anticipating the worst, but hoping for an optimistic outcome.
