“Catastrophic” is the word local officials are using as initial damage assessments from Hurricane Ida’s landfall Sunday come in. More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01             (32)      “I’m Jeff Palermo”

So far, the death toll from Hurricane Ida is thankfully small. In New Orleans, a man reportedly drowned when he tried to drive through flash flood waters. In Ascension Parish a 60-year-old man died when a tree fell on his home. Other fatalities could turn up as first responders continue rescue and aid.

New Orleans residents who have evacuated the city have been asked to remain where they are if they can. Mayor Latoya Cantrell says Entergy is working on the power and AT&T is trying to restore mobile phone service. Cantrell has called on businesses with generators to be good neighbors…:

CUT 05            (12) “…no doubt about it”

It could three weeks or more before power is restored in the Crescent City.

Ochsner hospitals in the path of Hurricane Ida had to evacuate over 60 patients to other facilities as the Category 4 storm bore down on them Sunday. Many facilities suffered roof damage from the over-100 mile per hour winds. Ochsner Health President Warner Thomas says the evacuations and maintaining a standard of care are the result of being prepared for such dangerous situations…:

CUT 14            (15)      “ready to go”