Thread by @JSODonoghue

.@LouisianaGov is starting his press conference on Hurricane Ida (and COVID...and whatever other disaster we are currently having.) #lalege #lagov

Today is the one year anniversary of Hurricane Laura and Louisiana is facing another CATEGORY 4 hurricane. #lalege #lagov

Hurricane Ida is supposed to make landfall between St. Mary's and Terrebonne parishes. @LouisianaGov says people need to be where they are going to be for the storm by nightfall tomorrow night. #lalege #lagov

Hurricane Ida has quickly developed into a hurricane "way head of schedule" ... "It will be a pretty strong category 4" when it makes landfall Sunday evening.

"This is stronger than Laura from last year." #lalege #lawx

"This will be a life altering storm." - @BenjaminSchott, who says Ida is expected to be stronger than Hurricane Laura. #lalege #lawx

@BenjaminSchott Hurricane warning applies to much of Southern Louisiana...from west of Houma all the way over to Covington. It includes Baton Rouge. BR, Houma and New Orleans could experience 110 mile winds. #lalege #lagov

"You do not have to be near the center of this storm to have significant impact." - @BenjaminSchott #lalege #lagov

.@BenjaminSchott says the coast from Morgan City to the mouth of the Mississippi could experience a surge of 10 to 15 feet. #lalege #lagov

Hurricane Ida is also both a wind and water threat. @BenjaminSchott says people should not try to drive as the storm comes in on Sunday night. #lalege #lagov

"Unfortunately, this is going to be a life-altering storm for many people." - @BenjaminSchott

"That's a very sobering assessment." - @LouisianaGov

I'll say.

#lalege #lagov

@BenjaminSchott @LouisianaGov .@LouisianaGov warns that because the storm is moving so fast, there's not as much time to prepare as there would be before a hurricane typically. #lalege #lagov

Mandatory/voluntary evacuations: Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines and Tangipahoa parishes

In some of these parishes, the mandatory evacuations are only in certain areas of the parish. #lalege #lagov

.@LouisianaGov says he directed that the Saints/Cardinals preseason game be canceled. He said he didn't feel comfortable having the game when people are supposed to get to their "safe place" by dark tomorrow night. #lalege #lagov

There are 5,000 linemen (people who restore power) in Louisiana...but @LouisianaGov is telling people to be prepared for the power to be out after the storm. #lalege #lagov

Oh right...the pandemic...

@JoeKanter says the Louisiana is lucky because the #COVID19 numbers have "softened" .... Hospitalization numbers are down. #lalege #lagov

@JoeKanter Remember the pandemic?

"The storm is not the only risk out there." - @JoeKanter

#lalege #lagov

Though Louisiana's COVID hospitalizations are down by 300, hospitals are still stretched in terms of resources. Elective surgeries are still being postponed. #lalege #lagov

.@JoeKanter is telling people who need oxygen tanks should try to "stock up" on oxygen ahead of Hurricane Ida. #lalege #lagov

People who are supposed to get their second vaccine dose during Hurricane Ida can wait to get that shot until the storm passes. It's ok if you have to wait a week, @JoeKanter says. #lalege #lagov

.@LouisianaGov said he is keeping the indoor mask mandate in place -- which was set to expire Wednesday. It will run for another month. #lalege #lagov

.@LouisianaGov says everyone in South Louisiana should have 72 hours worth of supplies on hand for Hurricane Ida. "The first 72 hours is on you." #lalege #lagov

@LouisianaGov .@LouisianaGov says Hurricane Ida has the potential to be "catastrophic"... He encourages Louisiana residents to check on their neighbors after the storm. #lalege #lagov

@LouisianaGov .@LouisianaGov says while hospitals typically have evacuation plans ready for hurricanes in case they are needed....but evacuating hospitals is NOT an option during this hurricane because of COVID-19. Hospitals are too full to take people from other hospitals. #lalege

@LouisianaGov .@LouisianaGov said no had really contemplated that a Category 4 hurricane would hit during a pandemic...where there is no place for people from hospitals and nursing homes affected by the storm to go. Again, the "safe" hospitals won't have capacity. #lalege #lagov