Hurricane Ida was a deadly and extremely destructivetropical cyclone that became the second-most damaging and intense hurricane to makelandfall in theU.S. state ofLouisiana on record, behindHurricane Katrina in 2005. In terms of maximum sustained winds at landfall (150 mph or 240 km/h), Ida tied with 2020'sHurricane Laura and the1856 Last Island hurricane as the strongest on record to hit Louisiana.[1] The remnants of the storm also caused atornado outbreak and catastrophic flooding across theNortheastern United States. The ninthnamed storm, fourthhurricane, and secondmajor hurricane of the2021 Atlantic hurricane season, Ida originated from atropical wave in theCaribbean Sea on August 23. On August 26, the wave developed into a tropical depression, which organized further and became Tropical Storm Ida later that day, nearGrand Cayman. Amid favorable conditions, Ida intensified into a hurricane on August 27, just before moving over westernCuba. A day later, the hurricane underwentrapid intensification over theGulf of Mexico, and reached its peak intensity as a strongCategory 4 hurricane while approaching the northernGulf Coast, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 929 millibars (27.4 inHg). On August 29, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall, Ida made landfall nearPort Fourchon, Louisiana, devastating the town ofGrand Isle. Ida weakened steadily over land, becoming a tropical depression on August 30, as it turned northeastward. On September 1, Ida transitioned into apost-tropical cyclone as it accelerated through the Northeastern United States, breaking multiple rainfall records in various locations before moving out into the Atlantic on the next day. Afterward, Ida's remnant moved into theGulf of St. Lawrence and stalled there for a couple of days, before being absorbed into another developing low-pressure area early on September 5.
The precursor to Ida caused catastrophic and deadly flash flooding inVenezuela. Ida knocked down palm trees and destroyed many homes in Cuba during its brief passage over the country.[2] Throughout its path of destruction in Louisiana, more than a million people in total had no electrical power. Widespread heavy infrastructural damage occurred throughout the southeastern portion of the state, as well as extremely heavy flooding in coastal areas. New Orleans'levees survived (unlike during Katrina),[3] though power line damage was extensive throughout the whole city. There was also substantial plant destruction in the state.Numerous tornadoes were spawned by Ida as it moved over theEastern United States. The remnants of the storm produced unexpectedly severe damage in the Northeastern United States on September 1–2. Several intense tornadoes and catastrophicflash flooding swept through the entire region, which had already been impacted by several tropical cyclones,Elsa,Fred, andHenri during July and August. The flooding inNew York City prompted the shutdown of much of the transportation system.
Ida is thesixth-costliest tropical cyclone on record, and the fifth-costliest Atlantic hurricane in the United States, having caused at least $75.25 billion (2021 USD) in damages.[4][5][6][7] Of this total, at least $18 billion was in insured losses in Louisiana, $250 million was in Cuba, and $584 million was from agriculture damage in the U.S., surpassingHurricane Ike of2008.CoreLogic estimated that Ida caused an estimated $16 to 24 billion in flooding damage in the Northeastern United States, making it the costliest storm to hit the region sinceHurricane Sandy in2012,[8] with an estimated $44 billion in insured loss.[9]
A weak tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa and moved into the Atlantic Ocean on August 14. The wave moved slowly westward through the monsoon trough without showing any signs of organization over the next several days. On August 21, the wave entered a trade wind environment west of 45°W accompanied by a large area ofconvection, or thunderstorms, that was elongated from east to west. As the wave moved over theWindward Islands, the convective coverage increased at which point theNational Hurricane Center (NHC) began to the track the system as it continued westward into theCaribbean Sea.[4][15][16] The next day, the wave interacted with a broad area of low-pressure over the north coast ofSouth America, which led to the formation of a much larger broad low-pressure characterized by spots that were near or below 1006 mbar (29.71 inHg) over the southwestern Caribbean Sea by late the same day. On August 25, a vorticity maximum emerged from the eastern side of the larger low-pressure area and convection became concentrated and better organized around it,[4] prompting the NHC to assess this disturbance as a high likelihood of development as it turned north-northwestward.[17] The system continued to further organize and obtain a better defined circulation the next day to the south ofJamaica.[18] At 12:00 UTC on August 26, the system had attained sufficient organization to be classified as Tropical Depression Nine, about 115 mi (185 km) south-southwest ofNegril, Jamaica. Upon its development, the depression was moving north-northwestward before turning northwestward a few hours later, steered around the southwestern side of a subtropicalridge located over the western Atlantic Ocean.[4] Favorable factors in the system's further development included warm waters of the northwestern Caribbean Sea, lowwind shear, and a moist environment.[19]
Late on August 26, at 18:00 UTC, aHurricane Hunters flight indicated that the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Ida 130 mi (210 km) Southeast ofGrand Cayman,Cayman Islands.[20] Initially, the storm had an asymmetric structure, with its strongest winds and deepest convection located east of the center. This was due to some southwesterly wind shear, which gradually lessened.[21] As Ida moved through the Cayman Islands and toward northwestern Cuba, its structure improved, with moreoutflow andrainbands. The convection also organized into acentral dense overcast (CDO).[22] Ida thenrapidly intensified, with its winds increasing by 35 mph (55 km/h) in just over 11 hours. Late on August 27, at 18:00 UTC, the NHC upgraded Ida to Category 1 hurricane status, based on observations made by the Hurricane Hunters.[23] Around the same time, the hurricane made its first landfall on Cuba'sIsle of Youth with sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 987 mbar (29.15 inHg). After crossing over, Ida made its second landfall at 23:25 UTC at Playa Dayaniguas inPinar del Río, Cuba, with the same winds speeds and a slightly higher 988 mbar (29.18 inHg) pressure. The system continued northwestward and its center emerged over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico between 01:00–02:00 UTC on August 28. Although it did not lose any strength, land interaction and entrainment of dry air into the hurricane's southwestern quadrant as Ida crossed Cuba inhibited further intensification, and little change in strength occurred during the first several hours after it reached the Gulf.[4]
During the day-time hours of August 28 microwave satellite imagery and Cuban radar data showed Ida's central core to be reorganizing with the formation of a convective ring around the center. This, combined with the favorable conditions of light vertical wind shear and warmsea surface temperatures, led to a second, and more significant, period of rapid intensification that commenced around 12:00 UTC on August 28. Ida intensified to Category 2 strength by 00:00 UTC on August 29, and into a Category 4 hurricane six hours later, as it moved northwestward toward theLouisiana coast. At around 12:00 UTC that day, Ida reached its peak intensity, with 1-minute sustained wind speeds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum central barometric pressure of 929 mbar (27.43 inHg), while located not far southwest the mouth of theMississippi River. During this intensification phase, the maximum winds increased 70 mph (110 km/h) and the central pressure dropped 57 mbar (1.683 inHg).[4] At peak, the hurricane displayed a pronounced satellite presentation, with a near-symmetrical structure and a well-definedeye with an impressivestadium effect visible. Strengthening was then halted as the storm began aneyewall replacement cycle, forming a second, larger eyewall around the first one, but Ida remained near its peak intensity. At 16:55 UTC, Ida made its third, and final, landfall nearPort Fourchon, Louisiana, with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a central pressure of 931 mbar (27.49 inHg), tying the1856 Last Island hurricane andHurricane Laura as the strongest landfalling hurricane on record in Louisiana, as measured by maximum sustained wind, and trailing onlyHurricane Katrina, as measured by central pressure at landfall.[24][25][26] A ship at sea near the point of landfall verified this intensity, with reported gusts as high as 172 mph (277 km/h).[27]
Following landfall, Ida only slowly weakened at first, remaining a dangerous major hurricane.Mesovortices were also visible within the eye.[28] Ida retained Category 4 winds for four hours following landfall, and then Category 3 status for the next four hours, due to thebrown ocean effect, as themarshlands and the flat terrain in southern Louisiana allowed Ida to retain its intensity for a longer period of time.[29] As the storm moved further inland, the majority of its cloud cover shifted northeast of the center, and Ida began a period of rapid weakening. It dropped below hurricane strength early on August 30 before weakening to a depression later that day. At that time, the NHC issued their last advisory on Ida, transferring the responsibility for continuing advisories to theWeather Prediction Center (WPC).[30][31] The system degenerated into anextratropical low two days later, as it moved over the centralAppalachian Mountains.[32] As the system moved through theNortheastern United States onSeptember 1–2, it combined with afrontal zone to unleash unprecedented rainfall across the region, regaining tropical-storm-force winds in the process, before moving out into the Atlantic.[33][34] On the next day, Ida's remnants moved northeastward acrossAtlantic Canada, bringing heavy rain and gale-force winds to communities throughout the region.[35] Ida's remnants reached theGulf of St. Lawrence on September 3, where it made a slow, counter clockwise loop while maintaining maximum winds of 45–50 mph (75–85 km/h). The low degenerated to a trough late the next day as a new mid-latitude low formed to the east.[4]
On August 26, 2021, the Cayman Islands were put under aTropical Storm Warning. With the expectation of a landfall or near landfall on Grand Cayman, schools and businesses were closed, and the government had fully activated the NEOC and the Emergency Services, in addition to deploying theCayman Islands Regiment and Cayman Islands Coast Guard for the HADR and SAR operations. Many people piled into grocery stores and hardware stores to grab supplies havingHurricane Grace that hit Cayman just a week earlier fresh in everyone's minds. Cayman Airways cancelled some of its flights and rescheduled them for a later day.The utility company had announced that they were planning on little to no power outages.[36][37][38][needs update]
Hurricane Ida making its first landfall inCuba late on August 27
On August 28, 800 individuals, including teachers and students monitoring turtles on theGuanahacabibes Peninsula, were evacuated due to Ida, according to the head of civil defense in the area.[39]La Palma also sheltered 6,281 people from the storm.[40]
Tornado watches were issued for parts ofLouisiana,Alabama, andMississippi on August 29. TheStorm Prediction Center issued a 5% tornado risk the same day for the three states, which included an overall slight risk.[41][42] Over 16 ft (4.9 m) of storm surge was anticipated for Louisiana, 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) for Mississippi, 3–5 ft (0.91–1.52 m) for Alabama, and 1–3 ft (0.30–0.91 m) for Florida.[43] A high risk for flash flooding was issued on August 29, encompassing much of New Orleans and surrounding areas.[44] A widespread area of 15–20 in (380–510 mm) of rainfall was forecasted the day Ida made landfall.[45] Approximately 95% of U.S. oil production in the Gulf of Mexico was shut down.[46] As of September 17, the insured damages from Ida in the United States is estimated at $31–44 billion, with $25–35 billion in the Gulf region and $6–9 billion in the Northeast.[47]
On August 27, the preseasonNFLfootball game for theArizona Cardinals andNew Orleans Saints, originally scheduled for the next day atCaesars Superdome, was cancelled due to the storm's forecast of being a major hurricane at the time of its landfall. Before this, the game's start was moved to noon CDT from the originally scheduled 7 PM CDT.[48][49][50] GovernorJohn Bel Edwards declared astate of emergency in response to the storm.[51] On August 28,New Orleans mayorLaToya Cantrell issued a mandatory evacuation for all parts of the city which are outside of its flood protections area.[52] That same day, PresidentJoe Biden signed an emergency declaration for Louisiana ahead of the storm.[53]
In a briefing that was held on August 28, one day prior to landfall, Edwards anticipated Ida to be one of the strongest hurricanes to affect the state since the 1850s.[54] The Governor also mentioned thelevee system in New Orleans, saying Ida "will be the most severe test of that system".[55] This comes after the2005 levee failures in Greater New Orleans during Katrina.[56] The state's hospital capacities were of concern, due to them already being pushed to near full capacity from theCOVID-19 surge that was ongoing at the time. Victims of Ida were expected to fill hospitals in affected areas.[57]
In Mississippi, at least 15 school districts and universities were ordered to close on Monday, August 30, along with a dozen casinos ahead of the impact of the storm.[58]Entergy Mississippi expected significant damage to the system in theJackson metropolitan area.[59]
On August 30, rains were still expected in southeastern Louisiana, coastal Mississippi, and a warning of heavy rainfall was issued for southwestern Alabama. Similar warnings were issued for the coming hours for the valleys ofTennessee andOhio as well as theMid-Atlantic region as the storm moves further north.[60] Tens of millions were at risk for heavy rainfall, flooding, and tornadoes on September 1. More than 14.5 million were put under an enhanced risk that was issued that same day by the SPC. This included a 10% tornado risk.[61][62] Extreme rainfall was expected for New York City, withCentral Park possibly seeing more than September's monthly average in just one day.Flash flood watches were issued at 2 p.m.EDT on September 1 for all five boroughs, including Long Island and Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Dutchess, Sullivan, and Westchester counties. The watch extended to Hudson, Bergen, Essex, and Union counties in New Jersey.[63] InPennsylvania, GovernorTom Wolf signed a proclamation of disaster emergency on August 31 in anticipation of flooding, severe storms, and tornadoes from the remnants of Ida.[64]
As a tropical wave, Ida triggered flooding in western Venezuela on August 23, killing 20 people.[2][65]
InCuba, numerous palm trees were downed onIsla de la Juventud due to hurricane-force winds that struck the island.La Fe recorded 50 mph (80 km/h) winds and gusts up to 71 mph (114 km/h) on August 27.[66][67] Many houses were also destroyed by strong winds and branches of trees were snapped inLa Coloma,Pinar del Río.[68]Los Palacios, andConsolación del Sur also lost electricity, according to a local newspaper in the province.[69] Despite the hurricane, many hospital workers continued to work during the storm.[70] Overall Ida caused $40 million in insurance loss and $100 million in damage inCuba.[71][7]
Extreme damage was recorded in Louisiana, with a very large number of houses being damaged or destroyed, and storm surge and rain causing widespread flooding and water damage.[74] Power outages were extensive through the southeastern portion of the state. As Ida moved to the Northeastern United States, its remnants spawned several tornadoes, with some being damaging and powerful. Record rain and high-level flash flooding occurred through extensive portions of the Northeast. Ida was estimated to have caused at least $65 billion (2021 USD) in damages in the United States.[6] Dozens of residents died, mostly in Louisiana, New Jersey and New York.[75]
Hurricane Ida at landfall inPort Fourchon, Louisiana, on August 29; an outer eyewall can be seen surrounding the inner eyewall.
Severe damage was recorded across the coastal areas of Louisiana, including inNew Orleans,Golden Meadow,Houma,Galliano,LaPlace,Lockport andGrand Isle.[76][77] In Houma,whiteout conditions were recorded, with flying debris and many houses damaged or destroyed.[78][79] Wireless services were knocked out temporarily.[80] An urgent flood warning was issued forBraithwaite when one of thelevees was overtopped.[81][82] In Galliano, many homes were destroyed, trees were uprooted, cars overturned and power lines brought down.[83] The Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Galliano was damaged, losing a significant amount of the roof.[84][76]
Significant damage was recorded in theFrench Quarter in New Orleans, including destroyed roofs and building collapses.[76] The historicKarnofsky Shop collapsed.[85] All ofNew Orleans lost electricity,[86] as well as a significant portion ofJefferson Parish,[87] after a 400-foot tower owned byEntergy andEntergy New Orleans located near theAvondale Shipyard on theWestbank collapsed under its own weight.[88] The collapse caused major damage to eight major feeder transmission lines when they fell into theMississippi River.[89] While power was restored to some neighborhoods 10 days after the "catastrophic failure", some neighborhoods waited significantly longer. The incident has prompted several investigations.[90]
There were at least 10 deaths due to heat related factors directly related to the power outage within New Orleans, including noted photographer Laura Bergerol and several residents in senior housing apartment developments.[91] Approximately one million people throughout the state were left without power.[92] Two drowning deaths were reported, including a man who drowned in New Orleans after attempting to drive his vehicle through floodwater.[93][12]
One of the ferries used on theLower Algiers-Chalmette route across theMississippi River broke free of its mooring during the hurricane, drifted up the river, and then ranaground.[94] One of the sections of theGulf Outlet Dam was overtopped by the storm surge.[95] TheUSGS recorded the Mississippi River nearBelle Chase flowing in reverse due to the volume of the surge.[96][97] The St. Stephen Catholic School in New Orleans lost its roof.[98]
After the storm had passed, nearly all of the oil production along the Gulf Coast was shut down. Thousands of emergency crew members were deployed in Louisiana, and hundreds of residents were rescued.[99] Power outages in the most heavily affected areas were expected to last for up to a month.States of emergency were declared for Louisiana and portions of the Northeast. Several sporting events were also moved, delayed, or cancelled due to the storm.
Ananemometer in Grand Isle recorded a gust of 148 mph (238 km/h) before being destroyed.[100][101] InPrairieville, a man was killed when a tree fell on his home during the hurricane.[93][102] An anemometer in Port Fourchon recorded a gust of 172 mph (277 km/h) when Ida came ashore.[103]
Hurricane Ida making landfall in Louisiana on August 29
Major damage was reported in Jefferson Parish.[104] On August 30, insured damage was estimated to be at least $15 billion.[105] Outside the post-Katrina flood protection system, eight feet (2.4 m) of water overtopped levees in lower Jefferson Parish[106] forcing residents inLafitte to flee to their rooftops to escape floodwaters.[107] Entergy shut down theWaterford Nuclear Generating Station due to off-site electrical power being lost. Separate energy from emergency diesel generators was used to maintain safe shutdown conditions. The lowest level of alert, "unusual event", was issued. There were no reports of significant equipment damage.[108][109] Two weak tornadoes, rated EF1 and EF0, struckEden Isle just south ofSlidell, Louisiana, damaging roofs, fences and trees.[110] Two days later in Slidell itself, a 71-year-old man was presumed dead after being mauled by an alligator while walking through floodwaters near his home.[111][112] On September 13, the alligator was captured and killed by state authorities. Human remains were recovered from inside the alligator's stomach.[113]
Aerial photos and footage was released, which showed large-scale destruction, debris, and flooding throughout affected areas.[114][115] On August 31, a 24-year-old man was found dead in Uptown New Orleans. The cause of death was assumed to becarbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The next day, in the same city, 12 people, including 7 children, were hospitalized due to CO poisoning. Three additional CO poisoning deaths were reported on September 2 inJefferson Parish.[12] In nearbySt. Tammany Parish, nine people were hospitalized from the same cause.[11]
Rainfall totals in the US.
Much of Southeastern Louisiana was devastated by storm surge inundation, which was estimated to be over 6 feet (1.8 m) in many areas.Plaquemines Parish on the east bank of Mississippi River had an estimated storm surge value of at least 14 feet (4.3 m). Grand Isle, which was located just east of the landfall point of Ida, was struck by 10.2 feet (3.1 m) and was rendered uninhabitable after the storm.[4] Up to 12 breaks in its sand levee led to 100% of structures being damaged, with 40% being completely destroyed, or being blocked by piles of debris, and electrical lines were toppled and buried. Parts of the island were covered by up to 3 feet (0.91 m) of sand. The police station was affected, with the roof being torn apart. The chief, Scooter Resweber, called it the "most severe hurricane" he had ever experienced.[116] ASt. James Parish man was killed after his backyard shed fell on top of him during Hurricane Ida's heavy winds.[117] Four storm-related deaths were also reported inTangipahoa Parish among nursing home residents evacuated during Hurricane Ida.[118] As a result of power outages one person died in New Orleans due to heat exhaustion and another person died from a lack of oxygen in St. Tammany Parish.[119][120] One person also died after falling from a roof while making damage repairs.[120] Total damage to agriculture was estimated at up to $584 million.[121]
On September 7, it was reported that 4 people had died and another 141 people had been hospitalized in the state of Louisiana, due tocarbon monoxide poisoning following Ida. According to theLouisiana Department of Health, these deaths were caused by power generators being used indoors, amid power outages following the devastation of the hurricane. The recommendations for using the power generators are to place the generations at least 20 feet (6.1 m) away from homes, and for a carbon monoxide detector or alarm to be set up immediately.[122]
A week after the storm, over a million people in southeast Louisiana were still without power. By the end of September 2021, approximately 90% of the state's power had been restored with the exception of heavily damaged grids from areas closest to the Gulf of Mexico.[123] After the storm,fish kills due tohypoxia were reported across the state.[124]
Over 113,000 people were without electricity on August 30.[92] On August 31, three people were killed and at least nine others were injured when seven vehicles plunged into a deep hole in a collapsed section ofMS 26 inGeorge County.[125] Heavy rains from Ida had caused the highway to collapse.[126] 13 weak tornadoes touched down or moved ashore as waterspouts from August 29–30, affecting virtually the entire coastline. An EF1 tornado caused significant damage to homes and other structures nearPass Christian andDiamondhead. The other 12 tornadoes were rated EF0 with seven of them striking or moving betweenGulfport andBiloxi, although the damage from them was minimal.[110] This was thought to be in part due toHurricane Zeta's impacts from the previous year; many weak and dead trees and substandard structures were removed in that storm, potentially reducing the amount of debris available for Ida to cause damage with.[127] Another EF0 tornado struckPascagoula causing minor damage to homes and tree limbs.[110]
Seven weak tornadoes touched down in the southern portion of the state. Three people were injured inSaraland by an EF1 tornado that ripped portions of roofs from motels and an industrial buildings and knocked down trees, some of which fell on homes. Another EF1 tornado damaged trees, rolled a mobile home, and tore most of the roof of another home southeast ofJackson. The other five tornadoes were rated EF0.[128][129][130] Two electrical workers died inAdger while repairing power grid damage caused by the storm.[131]
Two EF1 tornadoes touched down inMontgomery County, Virginia on August 31. The first one damaged a barn and snapped or uprooted several trees southeast ofRadford. The second one also snapped and uprooted trees and destroyed a swing northwest ofMerrimac.[132] InBuchanan County, one person was found dead after flooding from the storm.[133] InMaryland, A 19-year-old man was confirmed dead after flooding at an apartment complex inRockville.[134] InFrederick County, 10 students and their bus driver had to be rescued when theirschool bus was caught in flooding.[135] An EF2 tornado caused considerable damage to homes, businesses, schools, and other structures as well as trees, signs, and power lines inAnnapolis.[136] Two other EF0 tornadoes also touched down in the state.[137] InWilmington, Delaware, over 200 people were rescued from flooding caused by the storm along theBrandywine Creek.[138] On September 1, a plannedMLBbaseball game between thePhiladelphia Phillies andWashington Nationals was postponed due to the rain caused by the remnants of the storm.[139]
Heavy rain and extensive flooding occurred in Eastern Pennsylvania.[143] TheSchuylkill River flooded portions ofPhiladelphia, withInterstate 676 (Vine Street Expressway) partially covered in water. Flooding from the river also affected theManayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, with residents rescued from apartments along Main Street.[142][144] InMilford Township, a man was found dead after he drowned in his vehicle in theUnami Creek.[145] Flooding from the Schuylkill River caused damage toSEPTA Regional Rail'sManayunk/Norristown Line betweenMiquon andNorristown, resulting in the suspension of service. Service betweenCenter City Philadelphia andSpring Mill resumed on September 7 while service along the entire length of the line to Norristown resumed on September 13.[146] Overall, Ida caused up to $100 million in Southern Pennsylvania as a result.[147]
Radar reflectivity depicting the remnants of Ida producing severe weather and flash flooding in the Northeastern United States on September 1.
The impact of Ida in New Jersey and New York was unusually intense and deadly. Ida was the third tropical system in as many weeks to soak the Northeastern United States, afterFred andHenri, which left the soil saturated and a greater risk of flooding.[148][149] Numerousflash flood warnings andflash flood emergencies were issued across the area as well.[150][151][152]Tornado warnings were also issued in parts of theNew York City Metropolitan Area, includingWestchester County, New York, and parts ofFairfield andRidgefield inConnecticut.[153] The National Weather Service's New York City office issued its first ever flash flood emergency in response to severe flooding in northeastern New Jersey, followed an hour later by the first flash flood emergency ever for New York City itself.[154]
Widespread flooding shut down much of theNew York City Subway system as well as large portions of theNJ Transit,Long Island Rail Road, andMetro-North Railroad commuter rail systems andAmtrak intercity services.[169][170] A tennis match at the2021 U.S. Open was delayed when strong winds and rain came through the spaces of the naturally ventilated roof ofLouis Armstrong Stadium.[171] Eighteen storm-related deaths were also reported in New York.[159][160][161][163][164] Most people who died in New York City, including a family of three inWoodside, Queens, lived in basement apartments that flooded.[172] Overall, Ida wrought $8–10 billion in damage across New Jersey and $7.5–9 billion in New York.[4] Over 4,700 property damage claims were filed against New York City. Claimants argued that it was the city's negligence of its sewer system, which led to wide spread flooding. TheNew York City Comptroller's office denied all claims, based on a 1907 legal decision that does not hold municipal governments responsible for damage due to “extraordinary or excessive” rainfall.[173]
The storm shut down nearly allGulf Coast oil production, accounting for about 15% of the U.S. total. Louisiana's mainland refineries were also shut down, which account for 12.5% of the nation's capacity. TheColonial Pipeline was partially shut down as a result of the hurricane. This combination of factors caused prices to rise for oil and gasoline products across the United States.[187] Early estimates of insured losses were from $15 billion to $25 billion.[188] The offshore and onshore of the Gulf Region is up to $35 billion in Insured loss.[189]
Recovering from the massive blackout in New Orleans was originally estimated to take weeks[92] but most power was restored within 10 days[190] by repairing a transmission line fromSlidell and bringing theNew Orleans Power Station online in tandem.[191] The Massachusetts Task Force sent an 80-member team toBaton Rouge to help with the impacts of Ida on August 29. The team was composed of emergency medical technicians, doctors, structure, communication and logistics specialists, and emergency room technicians, among others.[192] People in lower-income communities affected by Ida had trouble affording to leave.[193] States such as Texas[194] and South Carolina[195] and national non-profits also gathered donations to distribute to victims and to help in the search and rescue operations.
Over 5,000 national guard members were deployed, and more than 25,000 workers nationwide came in support of recovery efforts. U.S. President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in the state, which allowed for extra funding and recovery. Sweltering weather conditions following Ida worsened the living quality of many surviving residents without power and food. More than 2 million were placed under heat advisories after Ida passed. Officials said that power may not be restored to some for up to a month, a delay that could be life-threatening because of intense heat.[196]
TheLouisiana National Guard activated 4,900 guard personnel, and dispatched about 200high-water vehicles, along with more than 70 rescue boats and 30 helicopters. By the afternoon of August 30, 191 people and 27 pets were rescued after crews checked 400 homes. Governor John Bel Edwards said the damage was "catastrophic" and that officials believe the death toll "could rise considerably".[197]Tulane University announced plans to evacuate its campus of all remaining students and to take them to Houston. Many people fled to stores to get food and water, and to gas stations to get fuel.[80] John Bel Edwards said in a preliminary survey of the state's levees that they worked as intended and held water out.[3]
On August 30, it was announced that the college football game betweenTulane andOklahoma scheduled for September 4 was being moved fromNew Orleans toNorman, Oklahoma, although Tulane would still be considered the home team.[198] On September 3, Tulane's second home game againstMorgan State scheduled for September 11 was moved toLegion Field inBirmingham, Alabama. Tulane volleyball's tournament scheduled for September 17–18 against UAB, Sam Houston and Texas Tech was also moved to Birmingham with inside UAB's Bartow Arena. All fans were allowed to attend the two events free of charge.[199] On August 31, theNew Orleans Saints announced they were planning to use an interim facility in theDallas-Fort Worth area for the first four weeks of the2021 NFL season.[200] The next day, their season opener against theGreen Bay Packers on September 12 was moved toTIAA Bank Field inJacksonville, Florida.[201]
States of emergency were declared inNew York, including inNew York City, as well as inNew Jersey by governorsKathy Hochul andPhil Murphy.[159] Several New Jersey public school districts delayed or cancelled classes because of flooding or severe weather damage.[203]Newark Liberty International Airport suffered flooding in the terminals, and all departures were grounded. Operations continued the following morning, with flight delays and cancellations.[204] On September 2, it was announced that due to the major flooding aroundSHI Stadium, thecollege football opening game betweenRutgers andTemple scheduled for that day would be postponed to September 4.[205]Connecticut GovernorNed Lamont also declared a State of Emergency for the entire state following widespread flooding.[174]
Many rescue crews were sent in boats through flooded streets the day after the storm in Philadelphia, northernDelaware, and portions of New York state. Thousands of rescues had happened in Pennsylvania alone that day, and first responders helped bring communities to safety from halted subway trains the night of the flooding in New York City. Some were stranded overnight. The city also saw its share of hundreds of rescues the next day.[144]
Major flooding caused several homes and businesses inManville, New Jersey to catch fire. They burned for hours after exploding from utility damage. Fire crews were unable to reach them due to the high flood waters. Manville was said to have the worst flooding in the entire state. Other notable flooding in the state occurred inWoodbridge Township,Carteret,Rahway,Perth Amboy,Newark,Jersey City, andPaterson.[206]
PresidentJoe Biden commented on the flooding rains from the storms remnants, stating that New York recorded more rain Wednesday than "it usually sees the entire month of September". MayorBill de Blasio of New York City said Ida was "unlike anything we've seen before". Most of the city's deaths were inQueens.[207] Rainfall in Central Park broke a 94-year record, whileNewark, New Jersey, broke a 62-year record.[208] Estimated damages are $16–24 billion from the northeast.[209]
Due to the extreme damage and number of deaths the hurricane caused across a large section of the United States, theWorld Meteorological Organization retired the nameIda from its rotating name lists in April 2022, and it will never be used again for another Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced withImani, which will first appear on the 2027 season list.[210][211]
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