A look at Ida's damage in Terrebonne and Lafourche
Good evening. Authorities on Monday confirmed that Hurricane Ida led to at least two deaths. The state health department said a New Orleans man drowned when he drove through floodwater Sunday night, joining a Prairieville man who died Sunday when a tree fell on his home. Gov John Bel Edwards said the list of victims will likely grow.
In much of southern Louisiana, the story has so far been the destruction left in Ida's wake. The levees withstood the storm, officials in Terrebonne said, but clearing roads and restoring power will be a lengthy process and they were asking residents to stay out of the area.
Here's a look at what we know:
Power out for many, potentially for weeks
More than 96% of homes and businesses in Terrebonne and Lafourche lost electricity and many were without cellphone service Monday.
Entergy reported 43,428 customers in Lafourche and 27,211 in Terrebonne were without power at midday Monday. The company said it could be weeks before many residents see their power restored.
IDA'S DAMAGE: 'Everything we thought it was going to be and more': Terrebonne, Lafourche assess damage
Hospitals damaged, transfer patients
On Monday, ambulances worked to transfer hundreds of patients from several hospitals in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes that suffered damage or lost power or water after Hurricane Ida.
Terrebonne General Health System sustained catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ida, along with St. Anne and Chabert medical centers, which suffered extensive damage. The facilities worked with ambulances to transfer hundreds of patients after the storm.
Patients from Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Raceland and Ochsner Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma were also being taken to other Ochsner facilities on Monday by Acadian Ambulance.
"We are also coordinating the evacuation of approximately 100 patients from Terrebonne General to Ochsner facilities in New Orleans and Baton Rouge with the assistance of additional ambulances provided by FEMA and other EMS agencies," Acadian said in a news release.
Before Hurricane Ida's landfall Sunday, Acadian Ambulance coordinated the evacuation of about 700 patients, the ambulance service said.
DAMAGED HOSPITALS: Ambulances transfer hundreds of patients from Houma-Thibodaux area hospitals damaged by Hurricane Ida
School closings
Public and Catholic schools in Terrebonne and Lafourche will remain closed until further notice, officials said.
In Acadiana, many districts are planning to reopen after closing Monday.
How to apply for disaster relief
President Joe Biden approved a "major disaster" declaration for Louisiana Sunday night.
Biden had previously approved a Federal Declaration of Emergency on Friday. Gov. John Bel Edwards requested the major disaster declaration on Sunday, writing in a letter to Biden the majority of households in 25 parishes will likely be displaced from their homes for an "extended period of time" and will require financial assistance.
Residents and business owners in those 25 parishes, which are listed here, can apply for assistance, which could include grants or low-cost loans, starting on Monday at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585.
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