Programs / August 29, 2021 - August 2023
2021-2023 Hurricane Ida
Event
On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida is made landfall twice along the Louisiana coastline, first near Port Fourchon and then two hours later in Lafourche Parish. This storm hit Louisiana as a powerful Category 4, where it brought life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds, and dangerous rainfall and flooding.
The storm caused widespread loss of power throughout Louisiana following the collapse of a tower carrying key transmission lines. The estimated repair time for this main tower will be several weeks, leaving the state without power during a time of oppressive heat.
This storm tested the upgraded levees, floodwalls, and floodgates installed following widespread failure after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans sixteen years ago. Upgrades to levees in the western suburbs had recently begun and storm surge from Ida quickly rose above the levels of existing levees, leading to flooding in the suburb of LaPlace.
As the storm moved out of Louisiana, search and rescue efforts worked to find and locate survivors. Roads were cleared of debris to allow search and rescue personnel to pass, fuel was in short supply, and supplies were only available for purchase as cash only due to lack of electricity.
About our Response
Our Louisiana program in response to Hurricane Ida is active in the St. Charles Parish area. Currently, plans see the response program continuing through the end of December 2023. Check back for extensions on our end date, as the need for assistance in Louisiana is immense and will likely continue far into the future.
Interested in supporting response efforts following Hurricane Ida? Click the link below to make a contribution or start a fundraiser today!
Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering with NECHAMA, please take a moment to click on the link below to express your interest in volunteering. A representative of NECHAMA will then connect with you to provide the necessary paperwork to complete ahead of your trip, as well as provide details about accommodations and current Covid protocols.
Never volunteered with us? Check out our VOLUNTEER page to learn more about volunteering with NECHAMA!
Contacts
Updates
JNOLA group joins NECHAMA
On Sunday, May 14 a group of volunteers from JNOLA: Your Hub for Next Gen Jewish Life in New Orleans joined our team in Louisiana to work on the final... Read More
Lowe’s Reconstruction Grant Insulates Homes in Louisiana
Nearly one year ago, NECHAMA began the process of rebuilding homes with our partner, IOCC in Saint Charles Parish, LA. Currently, four homes are in the process of being rebuilt.... Read More
Meet Team Leader Ryan Mann!
My name is Ryan Mann. I started working for Nechama in 2016. I was first introduced when I was in AmeriCorps NCCC in 2016 and a few staff from Nechama... Read More
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