EXCLUSIVE: 'I've survived many hurricanes, including Katrina, but nothing compares to this.' Houma residents are left reeling from Ida's wrath after 120mph winds reduce homes, businesses and even a bowling alley to a pile of rubble
For the city of Houma, Louisiana, the devastation from Hurricane Ida is apocalyptic. Located 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, the community has seen major storms before, but never has the suffering been so great. A local bowling alley smashed to pieces, a supermarket almost blown apart, a clothing store destroyed, homes wrecked, business after business battered to the point of being unrecognizable. Everywhere, there are scenes that look like they have been eerily staged for a disaster movie. But the damage is real, and now serving as a backdrop to residents' survival stories. Punishing winds of more than 120 mph for at least four hours - with gusts up to 150 mph - have left every home in the 100,000-population city damaged in some way. Aftermath: Bowl South bowling alley in Houma, Louisiana is now a pile of debris after being smashed by Hurricane Ida on Sunday. Pictured: Pro-shop manager Larry Grabert, 40, stands amid the remains of the venue, which he described as his 'sec