In the News - Hurricane Ida Hits Louisiana and the Southeast Coast
Submitted by Cindy Cangiolosi, Co-Chair Communications
On August 29, 2021, on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm, hit the Lousiana Gulf Coast. Making landfall near Port Fourchon, many local fishermen stated land anemometers in the area, and those on their boats, clocked winds of 180 mph. With her powerful 185 mph wind gusts, Hurricane Ida beat the SE Louisiana Coast for 18 hours bringing large amounts of rainfall, and forcefully pushed the Gulf water storm surge up into most of Louisiana's lakes, bayous, and tributaries.
As Ida sawed through the land, complete obliteration and destruction of homes, businesses, camps, and forests took place. Neighboring states, alike, suffered Ida's wrath with her high winds, flooding, and tornadoes, too.
Prior to Ida's landfall, many, in our families, secured their property, grabbed their valued personal possessions and pets, and left their homes heading out of Ida's way praying for the best. Others, chose to remain home to, "ride it out." Those who chose to stay expressed regret in doing so as Ida, with her tornado like strength, had horrific sounds from her powerful winds, ripped off rooftops with ease, and downed huge trees from the roots around them, a terrifying experience to be sure.
To add to the trauma of Ida's devestation was the lack of communication among our families in 25 parishes as huge cell towers, and electrical grids were destroyed. Many, were without power and internet usage for a minimum of 2 weeks on up to 2 months, especially in the Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, lower St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington parishes.
Thankfully, Ida turned more east saving the Cypremort House located in St. Mary Parish.
If you would like to share your photos or your story from Hurricane Ida for our JMB Family Website, please submit them to Debi Lauret, or any Family Council member for inclusion.