Hurricane Isaac made landfall early Wednesday as a Category 1 storm in Plaquemines Parish, La., testing levee systems and causing flooding and widespread power outages.

The Army Corps of Engineers is closely monitoring the improved $14 billion flood barrier system as the region continues to face 75-mph hurricane winds in some areas and street flooding. In Braithwaite, La., news station WWL reported during its live feed that rescues were ongoing for individuals trapped in homes caused by flooding from a  levee. Reports estimated 75 percent of New Orleans residents were without power Wednesday morning.

A second landfall was reported by the National Hurricane Center near Port Fourchon, La. The Louisiana coast is expected to experience continued winds and flooding as the hurricane makes it way through the area Wednesday.

Reminder: Disaster Accountability Project has activated its DAP Hotline for Isaac-related calls.

The toll-free hotline 866-9-TIP-DAP is available as a public service for disaster survivors, workers and volunteers to report critical gaps in disaster prevention, response, relief, and recovery services or planning. Report any gaps in preparedness, response and relief before or after landfall. When calling, please include specific location and nature of the gaps reported.
Alaska has made plans to store food in warehouses in Fairbanks and Anchorage to keep necessities in close range in case a disaster disrupts the state’s supply chains.

The move comes after last year’s storm cut off Nome from its oil supply, causing a Russian tanker to spend weeks cutting through ice to get to the town. The warehouses will be located near the state’s military bases and will store food that can feed 40,000 people for one week. Alaska looks to store food that will last five years, but will also satisfy cultural demographics, such as salmon for the state’s native population.

The state is also looking into other emergency management strategies, such as delivery medical supplies and providing emergency shelter. The food project is expected to cost the state $4 million.