While waiting for Hurricane Ida to arrive in Louisiana Friday, some sheriffs in the New Orleans area were looking to evacuate more than 1,000 jail inmates Friday night.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman and Plaquemines Sheriff Jerry Turlich both decided to clear out their jails before the storm makes landfall, said Nola.com.
Both agencies planned to send the men and women in their custody to state Department of Public Safety and Corrections facilities further inland, said the outlet.
As of Friday morning, there were 856 people in Orleans Parish custody according to City Council data, and more than 600 people in the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center in Davant, which is located on the east bank and under a mandatory evacuation order.
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Main jails in both parishes are new construction, designed after Hurricane Katrina to survive a major hurricane. Even so, a major storm could make it more difficult to get staff and supplies to the buildings, Nola.com said.
St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann declined comment to the outlet on whether he intends to evacuate his jail in Chalmette. Also, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office didn’t immediately comment on plans for its facility in Gretna near the Mississippi River levee.
St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said his inmates are staying in place at the jail in Killona.
Hurricane Ida is expected to touch land Sunday. Throughout Saturday, the storm has led to evacuations of oil platforms, canceled flights and more.
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