Death toll from Ida in Louisiana jumps to 26

Louisiana’s death toll from Hurricane Ida has risen to 26 more than a week after the storm swept across the state.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) shared that the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office had reported 11 additional deaths between Aug. 30 and Sept. 6. 

“Following a full review of cases since Hurricane Ida’s landfall and the conclusion of several investigations, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has confirmed 11 additional storm-related deaths,” the department said. 

Nine of the 11 died from excessive heat during an extended power outage, while two died from carbon monoxide poisoning, the department reported. The ages of the deceased ranged from 24 to 79.

Only one of the 15 previously reported deaths were explicitly caused by excessive heat, according to health department data. Four of the previous deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, spurring the state to issue a public health warning on the use of generators, while others were due to falling trees, drowning and other “storm related” causes. 

On Tuesday, the health department revoked the license of seven nursing homes that were owned by Bob Dean, who sent 800 residents to a warehouse during the hurricane. Seven of those residents died in the wake of the hurricane, while dozens more were hospitalized.

“Ultimately, lives were lost — these were grandparents, neighbors and friends, and we know families are hurting. We as a Department are taking formal regulatory action,” LDH Secretary Courtney Phillips said in the statement.