![]() ![]() Populations exposed to these powerful storms sustain physical harm, psychological trauma, massive losses, and life changes ( 1). Hurricanes are among the most ferocious disaster events, causing widespread destruction and harm to human populations in their path. Psychiatrists and allied health professionals can play vital roles in several areas: educating and preparing current caseloads of patients for possible storm impacts intervening with persons who develop new-onset disorders after storm exposure providing consultation to public health and community preparedness leadership about the mental health consequences of hurricanes participating actively in community emergency response and championing the integration of psychiatry with climate science and advocacy. As hurricanes become increasingly severe, health care systems may expect to see more mental illness related to these extreme storms. High rates of common mental disorders have been documented after recent hurricanes. Exposure to hurricane hazards and experiencing resultant losses and life changes can lead to new-onset mental disorders among previously healthy survivors and jeopardize the health of persons with preexisting mental illness. Hurricane seasons are becoming more active, generating storms that are ever more damaging to coastal and island communities. Shelters in Louisiana will run at reduced capacities due the pandemic, though state officials are working to secure hotel rooms for evacuees.Īll Sunday flights were also canceled due to the approaching storm, the New Orleans Airport said Saturday.Global environmental climate change is altering the behavior of hurricanes. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell ordered a mandatory evacuation for a small area of the city outside the levee system, but said there wasn't time to issue one for the whole city. Ida intensified so quickly that officials didn't have time to order mandatory evacuations. ![]() In Galliano, Louisiana, the struggle to care for patients as the storm roared ashore was exacerbated after a part of the roof of Lady of the Sea General Hospital blew off. Ida has also triggered concerns about the city's hospitals, which are already overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients and have little room for evacuated patients. Katrina had caused levee breaches and catastrophic flooding in New Orleans. The strength and path of Ida will be a significant test of New Orleans' post-Katrina flood defenses, including levees, flood walls and gates that were built to provide storm protection. ![]() Ida made landfall on the anniversary of Katrina, the dangerous Category 3 storm that devastated Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years ago, killing more than 1,800 people and causing $125 billion in damage. On Sunday evening, New Orleans said the entire city lost power after "catastrophic transmission damage." Heavy rainfall is expected through Monday across southeast Louisiana, coastal Mississippi as well as southwestern Alabama, and could trigger "considerable to life-threatening flash and urban flooding."Īs of early Monday, more than 1 million Louisiana utility customers are without power, according to. The NHC said winds will likely damage trees and trigger power outages as Ida continues to move inland over southeastern Louisiana. The NHC warned that a life-threatening storm surge is expected for Grand Isle, Louisiana, to the Alabama/Florida border, including Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans. The storm is expected to weaken rapidly over the next day or so, and the NHC said Ida is expected to become a tropical depression by this evening. ![]()
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