09/06/2021
Ida kills more people in the Northeast than in Louisiana
Hurricane Ida struck the coast of Louisiana with winds of up to 172 miles an hour, causing widespread damage, leaving more than a million people without electricity and killing at least nine people in the state. Ida lost its hurricane-force winds as it moved inland last week, but the storm still carried plenty of rain. At least 49 people were killed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut when the storm triggered tornadoes, record rainfall and flash flooding.
■Class discussion: Why were there more deaths from a “weakened” storm than from a Category 4 hurricane? Was Louisiana better prepared or just better warned for Ida than the northeastern states? How can climate change lead to stronger tropical storms and more rain in some areas while causing record droughts in other places? During your lifetime, have you noticed much change in the climate where you live? How much change have your parents or grandparents seen?