News and Media: Disaster 3569

WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell briefed the media this morning on initial Hurricane Ida impacts and federal response.

FEMA continues to track Ida, which made landfall as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Port Fourchon, La., on Sunday afternoon. Now downgraded to a tropical storm, Ida continues to bring dangerous storm surge, damaging winds and life-threatening flash, urban and river flooding over portions of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi today.

WASHINGTON -- As Hurricane Ida made landfall on Sunday afternoon, areas along the Gulf Coast experienced life-threatening storm surge, extreme winds and high amounts of rainfall. FEMA, along with our federal, state, tribal and local partners, as well as non-government agencies and private sector entities, remain fully postured to support impacted states and tribes to fulfill identified requirements.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. briefed the media earlier today on federal agencies’ preparedness and response efforts on Hurricane Ida, after receiving an update briefing at FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center. Life safety is FEMA’s main priority as dangerous wind, storm surge and flooding continue to threaten the Gulf Coast.

WASHINGTON -- Hurricane Ida is set to hit the U.S. northern Gulf Coast as a dangerous major hurricane today. FEMA is tracking the danger of life-threatening storm surge along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida in the warning area. Storm surge may reach 12-16 feet or greater where the hurricane makes landfall.