Louisiana

Louisiana is beginning the tough task of recovery after Hurricane Ida swept through the state's coast and caused significant damage and power outages.

Hurricane Ida rapidly gained strength right before it hit Louisiana this weekend. Abnormally hot water in the Gulf of Mexico acted as fuel for the storm.

Residents and crews are beginning to survey the damage after Ida pummeled Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane. Experts say safety precautions are crucial in the aftermath.

The rapidly expanding storm struck Western Cuba and is expected to hit Louisiana on Sunday as a major hurricane.

Edwards was the last in a long line of colorful populist Democrats who once dominated Louisiana politics. He served four terms as governor, and did federal prison time on a corruption conviction.

Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter will compete in a runoff Saturday for the 2nd Congressional District seat left vacant by White House adviser Cedric Richmond.

The Seacor Power capsized 8 miles south of Port Fourchon, La. in the Gulf of Mexico last Tuesday amid rough waters.

A "microburst of severe weather" may have caused a 256-foot lift boat to capsize in the Gulf of Mexico, about 8 miles south of Grand Isle.

The suspected shooter who opened fire at the store and shooting range in Metairie, La., is among the dead, according to police. Two others who were hospitalized for injuries are in stable condition.

Most of the power outages are in Georgia, where 677,842 customers lost electricity. But Louisiana, Alabama and North Carolina each saw more than 400,000 accounts go dark.