Convoy of Hope crews on the ground in Louisiana

Convoy of Hope's disaster services team yesterday began driving supplies into the Louisiana areas hit hardest by Hurricane Ida.

Officials say the barrier to entry to help residents in the New Orleans area is high, given the challenging conditions presented by the hurricane.

"It's very difficult to get into some of these areas because the roads are almost impassable, trees are down, power lines are very low," said Ethan Forhetz, national spokesperson for Convoy of Hope, in a Facebook video yesterday.

The Springfield-based nonprofit deployed 19 vehicles carrying food, water and relief supplies to the disaster area, according to a news release. Three additional tractor-trailers are en route, officials say.

“Convoy of Hope’s disaster services team prepared supplies and equipment to deploy ahead of the storm to help those affected as quickly as possible,” said Stacy Lamb, senior director of Convoy’s U.S. disaster services team, in the release.

The hurricane has left hundreds of thousands of people without power, and media reports indicate it could be weeks before power is fully restored.

Another local entity also is helping with the emergency situation.

Nixa Utilities, the utility company operated by the city of Nixa, yesterday sent four of its electric line workers to help restore power in Louisiana, according to a separate news release. Nixa is part of a mutual aid agreement organized by the Missouri Public Utility Alliance. Through it, seven Show-Me State cities are sending a combined 32 line workers to the disaster area.