Hurricane More Severe Than 16 Years Ago Hits US... Biden Says "Damage Will Be Massive"

Hurricane Ida Makes Landfall in Louisiana
Stronger Than Katrina, Which Caused 1,800 Deaths 16 Years Ago
400,000 Homes Already Without Power
Concerns Over Damage to Oil Facilities

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The massive hurricane Ida has made landfall in Louisiana, putting the United States on high alert. This natural disaster, occurring 16 years after the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005, is likely to strike the U.S. once again.

According to the Associated Press, Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on the 29th (local time) with maximum wind speeds of 230 km/h.

Ida intensified to a Category 4 hurricane just before making landfall in Louisiana, raising concerns. U.S. meteorological authorities warned that Ida's power is comparable to the highest Category 5 and urged residents to evacuate.

CNN reported that Ida is the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana. Hurricane Katrina, which struck Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29, 2005, causing the deaths of over 1,800 people, was only a Category 3 hurricane.

President Joe Biden approved emergency declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi, where damage is expected due to Ida's landfall.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Biden visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency office and said, "The damage from the hurricane will be enormous. We must take seriously how dangerous this hurricane is," urging residents to evacuate and take precautions against damage.

He also promised, "The federal government will actively support rescue and recovery efforts."

The Louisiana state government deployed 5,000 National Guard troops across 14 local municipalities and mobilized 10,000 personnel in preparation for power outages. Already, 400,000 households have experienced blackouts due to trees falling from strong winds. As Ida moves inland, power outage damage is expected to worsen.

Significant damage is also expected to the petrochemical industry in the southern United States due to Hurricane Ida.

Louisiana is home to 17 refineries responsible for one-fifth of the entire U.S. refining capacity, and two ports handle 55% of liquefied natural gas exports.

Pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline has suspended operations of its pipeline between Texas and North Carolina as a safety measure. Colonial Pipeline supplies half of the gasoline consumed on the U.S. East Coast.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.