Tips For Staying Safe And Informed On The Ground In Louisiana After Ida

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A truck in high water from Hurricane Ida near Highway 61 in Destrehan, Louisiana, on August 30, 2021.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

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PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

A truck in high water from Hurricane Ida near Highway 61 in Destrehan, Louisiana, on August 30, 2021.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

More than a million people are without power across Louisiana and Mississippi after Ida barreled on land as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing storm surge and high winds and killing at least one person. Ida has since been downgraded to a tropical storm and continues north.

If you’re in an area affected by the storm, here are some resources that can help you stay safe and informed:

Don’t venture out until it’s safe to do so

Louisiana officials urged residents to stay off the roads Monday morning while damage assessments were underway. If you’re in Louisiana, you can look at road closures here.

If you’re in New Orleans, calling 911 may not work because of technological problems with the city’s system. The Orleans Parish Communication District tweeted that residents should seek the nearest fire department or law enforcement officer if they have an emergency.

The National Weather Service New Orleans’ Twitter has these reminders for residents:

We are tired. All of us are tired. This was a difficult time but now we look forward. Try to be EXTREMELY safe today as weather hazards remain in effect. Do not venture out if there is widespread damage. STAY AWAY from downed powerlines. More post-storm info to come. #lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/u1uUYHaWLV

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 30, 2021

If your home is damaged and you need a pet-friendly hotel, Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recommends this website to find one.

Know where to look for updates

For the latest coverage, tune your radio in to 89.9 for New Orleans Public Radio or listen online and read updates at WWNO’s website.

If you have internet access, check these pages for updates:

The National Hurricane Center

The City Of New Orleans’s Twitter

The Office of Louisiana’s Governor

FEMA

If you’re without internet, you can get updates via text from The Advocate and NOLA.com. Here’s how to sign up:

Text Ida to (504) 688-4438 for Ida updates for metro New Orleans.

Text Ida to (225) 414-6471 for Ida updates for metro Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Governor’s Office reports you can also opt-in to updates from the state:

Text IDA to 67283

If you can, check in on your neighbors

When it’s finally safe to venture out, try to check in on your neighbors, especially the elderly and those with disabilities.

The state’s Emergency Preparedness Guide offers more steps to take in the days after a serious storm.

This story originally appeared on the Morning Edition live blog.