Hurricane Ida: One Year Later

Hurricane Ida: One Year Later

By Olivia Watson | Photos: Ochsner Marketing and Communications

On the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Category 4 storm Hurricane Ida struck Louisiana. The arrival of this storm in August 2021 coincided with the state’s largest surge of COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, shattering hospitalization records and complicating the pre-storm evacuation process.

Not only did staff have very little time to prepare for the storm—just four days— but because of COVID-19 safety measures, they were required to add more rooms and distance between patients to prevent the spread of the virus.

Chabert celebrated with music from the Nicholls State University band, balloons and a beautiful blue sky.

Photo: Ochsner Marketing and Communications

In the aftermath of the storm, patients were transferred to Ochsner facilities across the state as repairs began right away. Many services returned within days, including the medical inpatient unit, behavioral health, outpatient services and COVID-19 vaccinations and testing. The health system also supported employees by opening gas stations on its campuses, offering assistance payments through the Employee Assistance Fund and providing food, supplies and housing. Support through the Security and Emergency Response Fund was provided by donors like you.

Ochsner Health along with Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans, hosted a hot meal distribution in St. Charles Parish, an area significantly impacted by Hurricane Ida.

Photo: Ochsner Marketing and Communications

Within a month of Ida’s landfall, many of Ochsner’s facilities were back to 100% capacity—a testament to Ochsner’s extraordinary emergency management and preparedness. One year later, Ochsner is a safer, stronger community that has been able to recover, rebuild and continue providing premier care to the Gulf South— thanks to the generosity of donors and the dedication inherent to its staff.

Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma celebrated a major step toward recovery in the Bayou Region on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, with the reopening of inpatient, critical care and surgical services.

Photo: Ochsner Marketing and Communications