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Hurricane Ida: TERRIFYING videos of Grand Isle show fences and stairs getting flooded

Social media has exploded into worry and concern as floods take over Grand Isle where 28 people have chosen to not evacuate

As Hurricane Ida makes its landfall in Louisiana, videos from locals in the town of Grand Isle show a concerning display of nature's fury, with floods taking over the only way out of the town. Located on a narrow barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, Grand Isle is known for its scenic beaches frequented by many. But as Ida floods its way in with incessant rainfall and severe gusts of wind, it's been reported that roughly 30 people have chosen to stay back despite repeated evacuation warnings. 

Videos of Hurricane Ida crashing into Grand Isle arrives after it was estimated that the Category 4 tropical storm would be more devastating than Hurricane Katrina that had wreaked havoc in Louisiana with massive landslides at just Category 3. Survivors of Katrina were also reportedly feeling "helpless" as news of Ida developing an eye went viral. Social media have also been fuming over reports of evacuees fleeing from the disaster-struck zone leaving their pets behind, while several animal welfare organizations in other states have welcomed adoptable dogs and cats that were transported on planes.

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News of people choosing to stay back as Ida hits Grand Isle was shared by Jefferson Parish County, which shared information from the National Weather Service, New Orleans about severe winds calling for shelter. Local NBC channel WDSU's Morgan Lentes was one of the firsts to share a rapidly rising high-tide video of the coast along the Gulf of Mexico at Grand Aisle. The video shot hours before Ida's first landfall have a clear indication of what's to come. "LOOK This is the Gulf of Mexico at Grand Isle. #HurricaneIda is approaching fast," Lentes captioned the video.

The channel's Jennifer Crockett also shared another terrifying photo of what looks like a flooded public area, with tables and other wooden furniture attached to the ground barely clinging on to their foundation as nearby staircases for overhead bridges can be seen almost half-submerged in water. "Grand Isle: Jefferson Parish says 28 people have chosen to stay on the island as Ida nears. The only road off the island is already flooding," wrote Crockett.

The same clip was shared by WDSU's Christina Watkins, who wrote: "WOW Look at Grand Isle in @JeffParishGov around 6:15 this morning. There’s a mandatory evacuation there because of the storm surge and the island is right on the coast. Parish leaders said most listened to their warning and evacuated. @wdsu #HurricaneIda". 

In another video shared by Crockett, heavy winds can be seen bending palm trees to their side. While the trees seem to be holding their guards, heavy rain was pouring down all over Grand Isle. Crockett wrote in the caption of the video: "Grand Isle: Video from home surveillance; only road off island is flooding. Parish says 28 people chose to stay on the island for the duration of #hurricanida".

In another video shared by a local identified as Brent Callais, a Grand Isle neighborhood can be seen submerged in floods. Callais captioned the video shot by him: "Water is rising on Grand Isle. God Bless Grand Isle." Houses can be seen in the distance, with all doors and windows shut off for good reason. The video — presumably from a home surveillance camera — is sprinkled with raindrops but the rising levels of floodwater Callais talks about is still very clear. Much like Crockett's second video, Callais' video also shows heavy rainfall, with a white picket fence nearby almost submerged entirely.

But it was Crockett's video that drew severe flak for the people who have decided to stay amidst the chaotic hurricane blowing over Grand Isle. Slamming those people for risking the lives of disaster response teams, one user asked: "When will they learn? Now first responders will have to risk there lives to help them. Unreal." Another asked: "Why do people continue to think they can out ride a hurricane...I pray they do not have children with them. Storms as such can give ptsd, especially in children...use better sense. Maybe they wanted their 15 minutes of fame, bad decision, smh."

Another chimed in with the reminder that: "FWIW, storm surge flooding/inundation forecast to be in excess of 9 feet for Grand Isle. Peak surge still hours away from when this was filmed." This prompted others to remark that those who chose to stay behind, "They are toast. May God have mercy on them." One user also noted: "People already were told there’d be no rescues until after this beast passes so this is just plain old stupid."