Photo courtesy of Gov. Reeves/Facebook
Following its landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane on Sunday afternoon near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, Ida has since weakened to become a tropical storm on its way through Mississippi.
While its intensity dipped, the storm has continued to bring heavy rainfall and high winds to a large portion of the state. Despite its weakening, the governor explained that Ida will not be out of the state until early Tuesday morning and that it remains a dangerous storm.
Governor Reeves shared that preliminary damage reports have come in from eight counties, which he says is light considering the magnitude of the storm. That number will likely grow in the coming days.
MEMA Executive Director Steven McCraney announced that power outages in Mississippi remain around 88,000—down from a peak of 140,000+. About 20 search and rescue missions have been performed during the storm event.
The governor is joined by McCraney, FEMA Region IV Administrator Gracia Szczech, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, MSDH Director of Health Protection Jim Craig and Adjutant General Janson Boyles with the Mississippi National Guard.
Watch the briefing below:
Craig shared MSDH tips regarding how to stay staff in the aftermath of a storm, including food & water safety. MSDH vaccination and testing sites will remain closed on Tuesday.
This story will be continuously updated throughout the briefing.
The post Watch: Governor Reeves, officials share update as Ida moves through Mississippi appeared first on SuperTalk Mississippi.