Hurricane Ida Makes Landfall in Louisiana on Katrina Anniversary as an Extremely Dangerous Category 4 Storm
Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, early Sunday afternoon as an extremely dangerous, Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
Ida, striking on the 16th anniversary of the historically devastating Hurricane Katrina, tied as the state's most powerful storm ever with Laura from last year and the Last Island Hurricane of 1856.
Landfall is when the eye is halfway over the coast. Extreme winds and surge will accompany the 1 p.m. ET landfall over the next several hours.
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Weather Ruins Majority Of Mississippi's Watermelon Crop
One month ago, production of watermelons in southeast Mississippi was on track.
Now, growers there have lost much of their crop to the summer’s wet weather.
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La. Farm Bureau Connects Farmers During Disasters
Louisiana farmers and ranchers now have an online resource to connect with one another in times of need via Facebook, just in time for the peak of hurricane season.
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Disaster Response Facebook Group is where farmers and ranchers can post their needs before, during or after natural disasters.
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When Rain is Not a Good Thing
Water is central to our lives. We pray for rain in droughts and talk about “showers of blessings.” But on the other hand, too much rain can be devastating. Farmers in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana are seeing just how destructive all that moisture can be.
About a month ago, a storm system dumped 15-26 inches of rain in these states in just 48 hours. With so much water in a small amount of time coming after an unusually wet spring, water quickly spilled out of riverbanks and filled ditches. It covered fields and washed away crops. It devastated homes and businesses. As communities come together to recover, many farmers and ranchers will try to salvage whatever crops they can, while for some, the season has been completely washed out.
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Farm Bureau Applauds Senate Passage of Growing Climate Solutions Act
The American Farm Bureau Federation applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The act has 55 cosponsors, which makes it the first major piece of bipartisan legislation that would help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience through voluntary, market-driven programs. The Growing Climate Solutions Act passed by a vote of 92-8.
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Tropical Storm Claudette Brings Rain, Floods to Gulf Coast
Tropical Storm Claudette dumped heavy rain across coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama as it chugged inland Saturday, threatening flash floods and possibly tornadoes along its soggy course across the Southeast.
The National Hurricane Center declared Claudette organized enough to qualify as a named storm at 4 a.m. Saturday, well after the storm's center of circulation had come ashore southwest of New Orleans. It was north of the city three hours later, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (72 kph) as the storm plodded to the northeast at 12 mph (19 kph). The heaviest rains were far from the center, near the Mississippi-Alabama state line.
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Louisiana Buys More Alcohol To Prepare For Hurricane Season Than Any Other State
Food and water? Batteries? Gas?
Sure, these are some things residents in hurricane-prone areas are most likely to buy in preparation for storm season. But in Louisiana, there's one item on the shopping list more than any other hurricane-prone state: booze.
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A Likely Tropical Depression Threatens Louisiana. See Storm Track, Forecast Updates
A tropical system is threatening the Gulf Coast this weekend, forecast to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
The National Hurricane Center started tracking the trough of low pressure on June 11. It could strengthen into a subtropical or tropical depression as early as Thursday night, according to the latest forecast.
Regardless of development, the system will be a heavy rainmaker for the U.S. Gulf Coast, which is the primary concern. Parts of Louisiana could see up to 20 inches of rain over the weekend, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said.
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Hurricane Season Is Here: Make Plans Before a Storm Hits
Hurricane season is here for 2021 and is expected to be an active one. Now is the time to prepare.
“I’m urging everyone to have a plan in place for you, your family, your property and your pets/livestock in the event you are in the path of a storm,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain.
Louisiana residents should have a plan in place for their property, pets and/or livestock in the event a storm threatens.
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Severe Drought Grips Western States
Almost three-fourths of the western U.S. is gripped by drought so severe that it’s off the charts of anything recorded in the 20-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
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No Greek Hurricanes in 2021, and Other Facts for This Season
2020 was a record setting year for tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Thirty storms were named, thirteen of which became hurricanes, and three of those were severe enough to be retired (Laura, Eta and Theta).
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Heavy Flooding Impacts Local Crops
Southwest Louisiana crops have been impacted by the recreant heavy rainfall and flooding.
Many crop fields in Calcasieu were submerged in the flood. Though all plants need water to grow, experts said crops in this region do better when it’s hot and dry.
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Prepare for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is right around the corner and the 2021 hurricane season is expected to be an active one. Now is the time to prepare.
“I’m urging everyone to have a plan in place for you, your family, your property and your pets/livestock in the event you are in the path of a storm,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, D.V.M.
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Rain, Rain Go Away
The rain has been pouring for nearly a week, causing flooding in parts of the state. One day brought 13 inches as the weather systems stalled over some cities. Many areas have been under water for days.
One thing this weather has definitely shown us is where the problem spots are in our yards. Take this opportunity to identify these areas and address them for the future.
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Rapides Parish Designated Natural Disaster Area
Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Rapides Parish as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses caused by the winter storm and ice that occurred from Feb. 15-21, 2021, may be eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans.
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