La. Gov. says death toll after Ida expected to rise, comes as rescue efforts ramp up

August 30, 2021 Carley Joanou US 0

People walk through flood waters in Norco, Louisiana, on August 30, 2021 after Hurricane Ida made landfall. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 12:11 PM PT – Monday, August 30, 2021

Rescue efforts ramped up as residents have been assessing the damage after Hurricane Ida ripped through Louisiana. During a press briefing on Monday, Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) said it could take weeks to restore electricity since strong winds and rain caused catastrophic damage to the power grid.

Edwards said one person was confirmed dead, but added the death toll was expected to rise. On a positive note, the governor said all levees performed extremely well.

This morning, I am meeting with the Unified Command Group to ensure that life-saving response efforts can continue smoothly. Our partners across the state are working to get help to our people. #lagov #lda #HurricaneIda pic.twitter.com/g9TIk8ltgw

— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 30, 2021

Edwards went on to urge people to check on family and neighbors, while assuring them rescue crews were on their way.

“We have tremendous damage to homes and to businesses. We know that individuals are out there waiting to be rescued because their homes are not habitable,” he explained. “…Please know that we have thousands of people out right now with high water vehicles and boats who are doing search and rescue. We have dozens of helicopters up and that’s just from the state side.”

Ida has since been downgraded to a tropical storm as it traveled north and passed over Mississippi. The National Hurricane Center warned on Monday of dangerous storm surges and possible tornadoes for Southeast Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.