Grand Isle is often the first to see impacts of tropical weather impacting New Orleans, and the island was already underwater in advance of Hurricane Ida's expected landfall Sunday afternoon.
The area was already seeing between 8 and 9 feet of tidal surge from the strong Category 4 storm, and "the worst is yet to come," Mayor David Camardelle said on WWL Radio just before noon.
“We’re taking a serious beating as we speak,” Camardelle said, noting that he expects homes elevated to 12 feet to take on water.
Traffic cameras in the area were inactive Sunday morning, making it difficult to get a look at the conditions in the area just to the east of where the storm was expected to come ashore. But a remote feed gives a glimpse of the devastation from the surge and high winds.
There were between 75 and 80 people remaining on the island as the storm rolled in, despite efforts from officials throughout the day Saturday to clear residents.
Camardelle said he had evacuated the area Saturday evening, and only time will tell how much damage the storm leaves in its wake. Ida had sustained winds nearing 150 mph just before noon, and was expected to bring hurricane force winds to the New Orleans area and much of south Louisiana as it continued to work its way north through the state. Forecasters projected up to 20 inches of rain in some areas by Monday morning.
"What's coming now," he said, "no telling what's gonna happen."
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