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Hurricane Katrina survivors feel 'helpless' as Hurricane Ida develops an eye

Ida is expected to make landfall in NOLA on 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina which killed 1,833 and 50K to 70K animals were estimated to be dead

Hurricane Ida, according to recent updates, has developed a defined eye and is aiming to reach NOLA late on August 29 or early on August 30 with maximum winds of 110 mph and gusts of up to 130 mph. Evacuations in the Big Easy as well as along the coastal region are underway as the hurricane is expected to hit the areas with devastating force. The National Hurricane Center has predicted Ida to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph before it makes landfall in the US on August 29 which also happens to be the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. 

The damage Ida could cause, the sheer threat of it is looming large over the country, threatening lives, livelihood, and damage to property. Amidst the chaos, reports emerged about people leaving their pets behind regardless of the fact that these helpless creatures won't be able to make it out alive. Meanwhile, the people who run the trusted Villalobos Rescue Center have decided against evacuating their animals to another location, read here for full details. 

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Hurricane Katrina survivors feel 'helpless dread' once again 

In a joint news conference on August 27, National Weather Service meteorologist Benjamin Schott with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said, “This will be a life-altering storm for those who aren’t prepared." Edwards who is being slammed for canceling federal unemployment last month despite it being hurricane season said, "By nightfall tomorrow night, you need to be where you intend to be to ride out the storm.” Mayor LaToya Cantrell on the other hand was ripped apart on Twitter for poor planning after she said, "the city cannot order a mandatory evacuation because we don't have the time."

In times like these, communities are coming together to help each other in every way possible. While people have sprung into action after survival instincts have kicked in, the threat of what the next few days hold doesn't appear to have diminished. Especially for people who have survived Hurricane Katrina, the horrors of history repeating itself are weighing over them, and a couple of them took to Twitter to express their fears. 

"Securing my home ahead of Hurricane Ida which will hit on the 16th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I am evacuating and feel very out of sorts. #HurricaneIda #NOLA #Louisiana Pray for all in the path of danger," Dr Maurice Sholas, an expert in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine wrote. "Please keep Louisiana in your thoughts and prayers. All of this happening around the eve of Katrina. To those of us that survived Katrina, the timing of this storm is very symbolic," a user tweeted, urging people to pray for LA residents. "Until you’ve survived storms like these, it’s hard for others to understand how much they change your life forever. My life will always be truncated into 'before Katrina' and 'after Gustav' periods," another survivor tweeted. "16 yrs ago today I had just moved to Baton Rouge to teach at LSU. I wasn't worried about the storm in the gulf until my father called: "Have you looked at the radar this morning?" And I saw Katrina's red Sauron-eye churning toward us. Today? That same helpless dread. #Ida" reminisced another.