Aug 27, 2021 - Energy & Climate

President Biden approves state of emergency declaration in Louisiana

Noah Garfinkel

Tropical storm clouds over Gulf of Mexico — Photo by NOAA by Getty Images

President Biden has approved a state of emergency for Louisiana as Hurricane Ida approaches landfall following Gov. John Bel Edwards' previous declaration.

The latest: FEMA will now dispatched as part of the request to "coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures," said Biden in a statement.

Ida strengthened into a hurricane as it neared the Isle of Youth in Cuba, endangering people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) called for the evacuation of everyone living outside the levee system that protects the area from flooding, per AP.
Cantrell urged residents with medical conditions and other special needs to get out as soon as possible.

The big picture: Warmer water temperatures combined with a "favorable atmospheric setup for intensification" in the Gulf could lead to extreme intensification of Ida.

The hurricane is expected to move quickly giving residents very little time (24-36 hours) to evacuate.
"By Saturday evening, everyone should be in the location where they intend to ride out the storm," Edwards added.

Editor's note: This post has been updated with new details throughout.

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President Biden approves state of emergency declaration in Louisiana

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