Exactly 16 years after the deadly Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in and around New Orleans, killing some 2,000 people, the city is in danger again, and again for the same reason: Hurricane Ida.
In the evening last night the storm was still at level 1 out of 5, but it is expected to intensify during the day and hit land when it is already at level 4, with winds of 230 km / h, heavy rains and pressure differences that could cause sea and river levels to rise, including the Mississippi.
Already yesterday, the scarred New Orleans residents were preparing for the worst.
Many of them, as well as in nearby localities, began to evacuate from the area.
Ida was over the sea in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday on her way north to the U.S., after already hitting Cuba.
The storm path and heat of the water are expected to lead, no doubt, to a significant increase in its intensity.
The mayor of New Orleans said yesterday that it is better to leave now than to regret later: "Time is not working alongside us, the storm is developing rapidly."
She clarified that "those who want to take risks, should make sure that they can be fortified for a long time."
The focus of the storm is expected to hit the mainland west of New Orleans, but it will be felt well throughout the area.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said "Hurricane Ida is expected to be at its most dangerous stage as it approaches the coast."
"We tell you - the first 72 hours are your responsibility, the rescue crews will have a hard time reaching you," warned a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Emergency Activities.
Katrina was a turning point in New Orleans and the United States in general, because of the hardships caused by the failure of the city's dams and canals system, which were prepared for just such an extreme scenario. Timely assistance due to being cut off from the environment.
Many others were forced to stay in harsh sanitary conditions at the municipal stadium until aid arrived.
Over the years, the dam system has been massively renovated, but has never been tested in such harsh conditions.