Ida Now a Tropical Storm; Poses Flooding Rain and Tornado Threats from Deep South into the East

Ida is now a tropical storm, but its threats of flooding rainfall and isolated tornadoes will continue to spread inland from the South into parts of the East through midweek. Strong winds and storm-surge flooding will also linger near the northern Gulf Coast states on Monday as Ida winds down.

Ida caused serious damage in southeast Louisiana on Sunday, including in the New Orleans metro area.  The center of Ida is located over the lower Mississippi Valley right now. Bands of heavy rain containing gusty winds are spreading from southeast Louisiana into Mississippi, Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle.

Ida is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later today over Mississippi. Its remnant low will then track through the central Appalachians, then the mid-Atlantic later in the week. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect from southeast Louisiana into southern and central Mississippi and southwest Alabama. These areas will see tropical-storm-force wind gusts on Monday that could down some additional trees and trigger more power outages.

The most widespread impact going forward through midweek will be flooding rainfall from parts of the South into the East.

Flood watches have been posted along the path of Ida from the northern Gulf Coast into the Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley, central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic. Flash flooding, particularly where bands of rain stall for a period of a few hours, is expected in these areas through Wednesday. Minor to locally Major River flooding is possible in parts of the South.

NOAA's Weather Prediction Center is forecasting the following storm total rainfall amounts.

-Coastal Alabama to the western Florida Panhandle: 6 to 12 inches, with locally up 15 inches possible through Tuesday morning.

-Central Mississippi into far western Alabama: 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals up 12 inches possible through Monday night.

-Middle Tennessee Valley to the Ohio Valley, central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic: 3 to 6 inches, with localized heavier totals Tuesday into Wednesday.

The potential for a few tornadoes on Monday is expected from the northern Gulf Coast to south-central Tennessee and western Georgia.

We recognize the severe impact that current conditions are having on our customers and we are committed to restoring service levels as quickly as possible. As a result of these weather issues, the ALG Client Service Team will send daily updates as we monitor the progress and track job level impact.

August 30, 2021

Southern Area - Louisiana District

Plant Suspensions - Hurricane Ida

UPDATED:  Monday, August 30, 2021 @ 9:00 am (Central Time)

The suspension of operations for the New Orleans P&DC and the Baton Rouge P&DC have been extended to 10:00 pm on Monday, August 30, 2021.

New Orleans P&DC

701 Loyola Ave

New Orleans, LA 70113

Baton Rouge P&DC

8101 Bluebonnet Blvd

Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Operations for both locations will resume at 10:00 pm on Monday, August 30, 2021.

Operational Changes for these plants due to Hurricane Ida:

• Drop Shipment Hours: Hours were suspended beginning Sunday August 29, 2021 at 7:00 am and the suspension will end on Monday, August 30, 2021 at 10:00 pm for the New Orleans P&DC and Baton Rouge P&DC, pending weather conditions.
  
  
• Processing Plan: Mailers are requested to hold their Marketing Mail shipments in place for the time being.  All Marketing Mail currently in the network will be processed and delivered, pending weather conditions.
  
  
• Recommendations to Mailers: Mailers are asked to hold their shipments in place for the time being.  Please reschedule any appointments that will be missed.

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