Louisiana governor tells residents not to return without OK from officials

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) told residents Tuesday to not return to their homes without clearance from emergency officials.

“Many of the life-supporting infrastructure elements are not present, they’re not operating right now,” Edwards said in a news conference. “So, if you have already evacuated, do not return here or anywhere else in southeast Louisiana until the Office of Emergency Preparedness tells you it is ready to receive you.”

Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday as a Category 4 Hurricane and is now a tropical depression.

About 1 million people in Louisiana were left without power as the storm made landfall.

The death toll from the storm is currently at four, two of which are in southeast Louisiana.

The first death was reported Sunday in Ascension Parish, where an individual was struck by a tree. In New Orleans, a man died while attempting to drive through floodwater.

The other two deaths were reported in Mississippi, where two people were killed in a highway collapse.

President Biden has approved a disaster declaration for Louisiana, which frees up federal funding to help respond to the storm.

The Pentagon said Monday that more than 5,200 National Guard personnel have been activated in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama to help with recovery efforts.

Edwards noted that many places are closed as the area grapples with the effects of the storm.

“The schools are not open, the businesses are not open, the hospitals are slammed. There’s not water in your home and there’s not going to be electricity,” Edwards said.

“So let’s get you where you can be safe and somewhat comfortable. And if you need a hospital, we can get you to a hospital. Please don’t come home before they tell you that it’s time,” he added.