In 2005, the campuses of historically Black universities in New Orleans were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. This week Hurricane Ida struck Louisiana as an even more powerful storm. But the new levee system in the city held firm and flooding was significantly less than was the case 16 years ago.
However, the loss of power in the city has again disrupted the operations of HBCUs in the city. Dillard University will be closed until September 13 and then only online classes will be held until the City of New Orleans has notified its residents that it is safe to return. Over 90 percent of students evacuated prior to the storm. Students who remained on campus during the storm were moved to the Professional Schools Building as a protective measure. When local and state authorities announced that power would not be restored for weeks, the university transported the students to housing in Mobile, Alabama.
Xavier University of New Orleans announced that it would resume online instruction on September 7. Students who remained on campus during the storm have been transported to Dallas, Texas. Students were encouraged to make travel arrangements from the Dallas area to return home. Students who cannot travel home have been told they will remain in a Dallas hotel for at least two weeks. About 200 Xavier students were transported to Dallas.
There were 41 students on campus at Southern University New Orleans when the storm struck. They have been relocated to the Southern University campus in Baton Rouge. The New Orleans campus will remain closed until power is restored to the city.
