Hurricane Ida leaves all of New Orleans without power

Hurricane Ida left all of New Orleans without power Sunday evening due to what the electric company called a “catastrophic transmission damage.”

The Times-Picayune reported Ida had already left more than 614,000 customers in Louisiana without power before it took out the power in New Orleans. As of 7:15 p.m. local time, all customers in New Orleans were without power.

A spokesperson for Entergy New Orleans told the newspaper that the storm has caused a “load imbalance to the company’s transmission and generation.”

“Do not walk in standing water and do not venture into areas of debris, since energized and dangerous power lines may not be visible,” the company warned.

Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane, causing massive and widespread damage. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Ida is currently moving further inland over southeastern Louisiana.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds are reaching 120 mph, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s data.

According to the agency, “Catastrophic Storm Surge, Extreme Winds, and Flash Flooding,” are all occurring throughout southeastern Louisiana.

Hurricane #Ida Advisory 15A: Ida Moving Further Inland Over Southeastern Louisiana. Catastrophic Storm Surge, Extreme Winds, and Flash Flooding Continue in Portions of Southeastern Louisiana. https://t.co/VqHn0u1vgc

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 29, 2021

Around 7 p.m. local time, the NHC reported the eye of Ida as being roughly 35 miles west of New Orleans.

A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the area between Morgan City, La., and the mouth of the Pearl River, encompassing roughly 130 miles.

Rapid weakening of the storm is expected throughout the next day or so, but the storm has been moving slowly, putting large swaths of the coast at risk of flooding and wind damage. The storm wasn’t downgraded to a Category 3 storm until Sunday evening and to a Category 2 hurricane until 10 p.m. Hurricane Ida is expected to remain classified as a hurricane through late Sunday and is expected to be a tropical storm until Monday afternoon.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) released an advisory on Twitter, telling residents to use caution if they use a generator.

“For those losing power due to #HurricaneIda, please use caution if you plan on using a generator. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, do not use them inside your home, and keep them away from windows and doors,” he advised.

For those losing power due to #HurricaneIda, please use caution if you plan on using a generator. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, do not use them inside your home, and keep them away from windows and doors. #lagov #lawx #Ida pic.twitter.com/Qn3PqUfP9T

— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 29, 2021