Hurricane Ida: Here's Tips On How To Stay Safe During And After Flooding

Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana Sunday (August 29) afternoon as a category 4 hurricane with wind speeds of 150 MPH. CNN reported that as of 7 p.m. ET, The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Ida weakened to a category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 MPH.

Nola Ready has prepared an emergency list of how to keep yourself safe during flooding around your home and in your neighborhood.

Here are tips on how to stay safe during flooding:

Avoid floodwaters:

• Move to higher ground.
• Don’t walk or drive through floodwaters. 
• If water rises around your car, abandon the car immediately.

Report Flooding:

• Call 911 to report street flooding and life-threatening emergencies.
• View reports of street flooding at streetwise.nola.gov

Avoid contact with electricity:

• Don’t touch electrical equipment. Every source of electricity can be dangerous during or after a flood.

Move vehicles to higher ground:

• Don't block intersections or streetcar tracks.
• Don't park on top of tree roots or under branches, for your safety and the safety of our trees.
• When moving your car from the neutral ground, drive slowly, so you don't make tracks in the ground.

What to do after a flood:

• Don't return home until authorities say it is safe.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded and watch out for debris. Floodwaters can erode roads and walkways.
• Stay away from standing water. It might be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Photograph damage to your property for insurance purposes.

If you need emergency services, click here for each parish's emergency management center number.