Many people were affected by power and water outages, with many unable to obtain immediate relief.
“I don’t have a vehicle. Charles Harris, 58 said that he didn’t have a choice but to stay as he searched for a restaurant to eat in New Orleans’ area where Ida had taken down utility poles two days before.
Harris said that he didn’t have access to a generator, and that the heat was beginning to wear him down. New Orleans and other parts of the region were placed under a heat advisory. Forecasters said that the combination of high temperatures, humidity and high temperatures could cause it to feel like 106° Fahrenheit (41° Celsius) on Wednesday.
Officials in New Orleans announced seven locations where residents could get a meal and be cooled off. Mayor LaToya Catrell stated that 70 transit buses were being used as cooling locations. On Wednesday, there will be drive-thru food, water, and ice distribution points. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards stated that state officials were also working to establish distribution points in other parts of the state.
Cantrell ordered Tuesday night curfews, citing it as an attempt to stop crime after Hurricane Ida knocked out power in the city. Chief Shaun Ferguson, the police chief, said that there were some theft arrests.
Additionally, the mayor stated that she expected Entergy to be able provide electricity to the city by Wednesday night, but she cautioned that this doesn’t necessarily mean an immediate restoration of power to all areas. Entergy said that it was considering two options to “begin powering crucial infrastructure in the region such as hospitals and nursing homes, first responders, and so forth,” in a press release.
Cantrell admitted that frustration would be felt in the days to come.
“We know it is hot. She said that we know we don’t have power and that it continues to be a priority.
Edwards surveyed Tuesday’s damage caused by the storm that left Houma, LaPlace, and other areas outside of New Orleans flood-prone.
Grand Isle, the barrier island that Ida attacked, is now “uninhabitable,” according to Cynthia Lee Sheng, Jefferson Parish President. She also stated that there are many breaks in the levee system, and that there is a strong smell of natural gas.
