The path of Hurricane Ida
By Washington Post staff
August 30, 2021 at 5:06 p.m. EDT
Potential storm surge flooding from Hurricane Ida
Leveed area
1 ft
3
6
9+
Miss.
LA.
Hurricane Ida
projected path
Baton
Rouge
New Orleans
Data as of Aug. 29 at 11 a.m.
Source: NOAA NWS National
Hurricane Center
Potential storm surge flooding from Hurricane Ida
Leveed area
1 ft
3
6
9+
Miss.
LOUISIANA
Hurricane Ida
projected path
Baton
Rouge
Lafayette
New Orleans
Data as of Aug. 29 at 11 a.m.
Source: NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center
Potential storm surge flooding from Hurricane Ida
Leveed area
1 ft
3
6
9+
Miss.
Al.
Tex.
LOUISIANA
Hurricane Ida
projected path
Mobile
Baton
Rouge
Port
Arthur
Lafayette
New Orleans
Data as of Aug. 29 at 11 a.m.
Source: NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center
Storm surges are abnormal rises in sea level generated by intense storms. Surges generally occur on the side of the storm where winds rotate into the shore. The strongest surges are where the winds are most powerful, usually near the storm’s eye.
Land
Hurricane
eye
Storm surge
Rotation
direction
Water
Diagram is schematic
Land
Hurricane
eye
Storm surge
Rotation
direction
Water
Diagram is schematic
Land
Hurricane
eye
Storm surge
Rotation
direction
Water
Diagram is schematic
Water is pushed toward land by strong wind and, to a lesser extent, by low pressure around the storm. The height of a storm surge can be affected by many factors, such as the size and speed of the storm, the angle of its approach, the shape of the coastline and the slope of the continental shelf.
Hurricane winds
Wind-driven storm surge
Normal sea level
Land
Diagram is schematic
Wind-driven storm surge
Hurricane winds
Normal sea level
Land
Diagram is schematic
Wind-driven storm surge
Hurricane winds
Normal sea level
Land
Diagram is schematic
Storm surges and large waves generated by hurricanes are among the greatest threats to life and property during a storm.
