Ida leaves utter devastation in Louisiana – National & International News – MON 30Aug2021

Ida leaves utter devastation in Louisiana. US airstrike in Kabul kills 10 civilians, including children; departure deadline tomorrow.

NATIONAL NEWS

Ida leaves utter devastation in Louisiana

Following Hurricane Ida’s rampage through southern Louisiana, parts of the state may be without power for as much as six weeks. Currently, all of New Orleans and Metairie are without power. In addition to thousands of powerlines downed by trees, a major electricity tower connecting power stations to five parishes apparently collapsed into the Mississippi River.

Fortunately, most of the levies in the area held. But there was still extensive damaged to infrastructure in the area. Jefferson Parish Emergency Management Director Joe Valiente says, “There are about 10 parishes that the electrical grids are completely collapsed and damaged, smashed, out — however you want to put it”.

Valiente also mentioned that three vessels, a barge, a tugboat and a 100-foot trawler, all struck a bridge, knocking it off its pins. All three vessels sank and the bridge will have to be scrapped. 

Homes, buildings damaged 

Reports say that many homes had their roofs peeled off. Most in Jefferson County and Metairie sustained some roof damage. Several buildings, including homes, businesses and schools also collapsed. Wind ripped the roof off of a TV station, causing the crew within to flee the control room.

Rescue efforts

So far, only one fatality has been confirmed. That number may go up as damage assessment and recovery progresses. On Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish, 30 residents who elected to ride out the storm haven’t been heard from.

Search and rescue efforts are underway across the region. In the remotest hard hit areas, rescuers will be going from door to door, looking for survivors and fatalities. Survivors will be removed to shelters and fatalities will be tagged for later removal. 

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards had a dire warning for area residents. “Quite frankly we can’t tell you yet how long it’s going to be before first responders are able to respond to calls for assistance. So please don’t go out. The extent to which individuals will decide to go out and about will inhibit the flow of first responders and search and rescue assets, high-water vehicles and so forth. So please be patient”.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US airstrike in Kabul kills 10 civilians, including children, family says

On Sunday, US forces carried out an airstrike against a suspected ISIS-K suicide bomber in Kabul who posed an “imminent” threat to the airport. But family members of the victims say that 10 civilians, including 7 children were also killed. The oldest member was a 40-year-old engineer who had worked with Afghan forces. According to a reporter who spoke with the family, they were SIV applicants awaiting notification to go to the airport.

This morning, unknown parties fired at least 5 rockets at the airport. US missile defense systems were able to intercept the incoming missiles, so no casualties resulted.

The US is in its final hours of evacuations from the Kabul airport. The deadline arrives tomorrow for US forces to leave Afghanistan and turn the airport over to the Taliban.

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