UPDATE: A second fatality has been reported from Hurricane Ida. The mayor of New Orleans Latoya Cantrell said one person died while driving and is believed to have drowned. No more details have been given yet.
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One person has died of injuries sustained after a tree fell on a resident in Prairieville, Louisiana, marking the first death from the catastrophic Hurricane Ida.
The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed the death Sunday night, after deputies responded to the scene.
In Lafourche Parish, a man was rescued by Sheriff’s Office deputies after a tree fell on him as he attempted to secure property outside his home.
“Despite the fact that we had pulled all emergency services off the highway because of high wind, we did have a couple of brave deputies that did go out there, rescue him and pull the tree off and they were able to get him to the hospital for treatment. And he did survive,” said Captain Brennan Matherne, the public information officer for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office.
Officials expect reports of injuries to grow as first responders begin to survey damage and search and rescue operations kick into gear Monday morning.
Louisiana has deployed more than 1,600 people to conduct search and rescue operations, Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday morning.
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