ida-001

A resident takes home sandbags from a city run sandbag distribution location at the Dryades YMCA along Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in New Orleans, as residents prepare for Hurricane Ida. (Max Becherer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

ida-007

Storm shutters are hammered closed on a 100-year-old house, Friday, August 27, 2021, in New Orleans, as residents prepare for Hurricane Ida. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

ida-009

John Smith of Pelican Ice tosses bags of ice to the end of a truck as he helps stock a gas station in Jefferson, La., as residents prepare for Tropical Storm Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Forecasters now say Ida could be a major Category 3 hurricane with top winds of 115 mph when it nears the U.S. c...

ida-004

This GOES-16 East GeoColor satellite image taken Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at 4:40 p.m. EDT, and provided by NOAA, shows Hurricane Ida crossing western Cuba. Hurricane Ida struck Cuba on Friday and threatened to slam into Louisiana with far greater force over the weekend, prompting New Orleans’ mayor...

ida-005

Storm clouds pass overhead as St. Bernard Parish road crews shore up levees and vulnerable roadways with gravel as the Louisiana coast prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in New Orleans. Hurricane Ida struck Cuba on Friday and threatened to slam into Louisiana with dev...

ida-010

A crew with the Flood Protection Authority East remove wall barriers Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in New Orleans, that will allow the flood gates at Downman Road to be closed in coming days in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ida. (Max Becherer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

ida-014

A crew with the Flood Protection Authority East remove wall barriers Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in New Orleans, that will allow the flood gates at Downman Road to be closed in coming days in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ida. (Max Becherer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

ida-003

Ray Guenther, 55, center, helps his brother, John, 56, unload about 400 crab traps that he had to pull out of the water and move to dry land near his home in eastern St. Bernard Parish as the Louisiana coast prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in New Orleans. Hurricane...

ida-011

Corey Williams of Pelican Ice stacks bags of ice onto a cart at a gas station in preparation for Tropical Storm Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in Jefferson, La. Forecasters now say Ida could be a major Category 3 hurricane with top winds of 115 mph when it nears the U.S. coast. (Chris Granger/The Time...

ida-006

This map highlights the system of levees and flood walls that protect the New Orleans area.

ida-002

Long lines are seen at a gas station in Jefferson, La., as people prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Forecasters now say Ida could be a major Category 3 hurricane with top winds of 115 mph when it nears the U.S. coast. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans...

ida-013

A crew with the Flood Protection Authority East remove wall barriers Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in New Orleans, that will allow the flood gates at Downman Road to be closed in coming days in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ida. (Max Becherer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

ida-012

Corey Williams, right, and John Smith, both of Pelican Ice, hurriedly stack bags of ice into a gas station freezer in preparation for Tropical Storm Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in Jefferson, La. Forecasters now say Ida could be a major Category 3 hurricane with top winds of 115 mph when it nears th...

ida-008

St. Bernard Parish residents fill up their cars and gas cans as the Louisiana coast prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 in New Orleans. Hurricane Ida struck Cuba on Friday and threatened to slam into Louisiana with devastating force over the weekend, prompting New Orle...

Abandoned cars sit in high water on a road in Lodi, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo)

A vehicle is under water during flooding in Philadelphia, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the aftermath of downpours and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that hit the area. (AP Photo)

An abandoned car sits in high water on a road in Lodi, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo)

Cars make their way through flooded streets and around abandoned cars in Teterboro, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo)

Ragendra Shivprasad, left, the landlord of a building where three people were killed when several feet of water collapsed the wall to a basement apartment, stands with neighbors as they watch the scene, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the Queens borough of New York. The remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped h...

The lights of Times Square in New York are reflected in standing water Thursday, Sept 2, 2021, as Hurricane Ida left behind not just water on city streets but wind damage and severe flooding along the Eastern seaboard. (AP Photo)

Shown is flooding in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the aftermath of downpours and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that hit the area. (AP Photo)

In this image taken from video provided by Scott Smith, a fast-moving tornado is seen in the distance through a windshield just before the toll booth for the Burlington Bristol Bridge on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Burlington, N.J. ( via AP)

A man makes his way through a flooded street in Teterboro, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo)

Waves slam along the shore near high tide as the remnants of Hurricane Ida leave coastal Massachusetts, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Scituate, Mass. (AP Photo)

Cars make their way through flooded streets and around abandoned cars in Teterboro, N.J., Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. (AP Photo)

Shown is flooding in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the aftermath of downpours and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that hit the area. (AP Photo)

Damage to the side of a building from the remnants of Hurricane Ida is shown on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the Queens borough of New York. Three people were killed when several feet of water collapsed the wall to their basement apartment and flooded the apartment. (AP Photo)

A subway station that had earlier flooded remains closed after a state of emergency was declared in New York Thursday, Sept 2, 2021, as the remnants of Hurricane Ida remained powerful as it moved along the Eastern seaboard. (AP Photo)

Vehicles are under water during flooding in Philadelphia, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the aftermath of downpours and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that hit the area. (AP Photo)

Vehicles are under water during flooding in Philadelphia, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the aftermath of downpours and high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that hit the area. (AP Photo)

A home which was damaged by a possible tornado is seen on Josephine Lane in Harrison Township, N.J., Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The remnants of hurricane Ida brought heavy rains and possible tornadoes to the area (The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Vehicles that are submerged are seen on Bulter Are. near Morris Rd. in Montgomery County, Pa. Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The remnants of hurricane Ida brought heavy rains and possible tornadoes to the area (The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Damage to the side of a building from the remnants of Hurricane Ida is shown on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 in the Queens borough of New York. Three people were killed when several feet of water collapsed the wall to their basement apartment and flooded the apartment. (AP Photo)

Pedestrians take cover near Columbus Circle in New York Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, as the remnants of Hurricane Ida remained powerful while moving along the Eastern seaboard. (AP Photo)

Flames lick at an entrance sign for Lake Almanor West as the Dixie Fire burns on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. As of Thursday, there had not been significant structure loss in the community. (AP Photo)

Flames from the Dixie Fire consume a home on Highway 89 south of Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Firefighter Erik Padilla with Northern Sonoma County Fire District extinguishes hot spots while protecting Lake Almanor West homes from the Dixie Fire on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. Padilla works out of the Geyserville Fire Station. (AP Photo)

This photo shows cars and homes destroyed by the Dixie Fire line central Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

This photo shows cars and homes destroyed by the Dixie Fire line central Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

This photo shows cars and homes destroyed by the Dixie Fire line central Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

A church marquee stands among buildings destroyed by the Dixie Fire in Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Flames from the Dixie Fire consume a pickup truck on Highway 89 south of Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Santa Rosa firefighters retract a hose while battling the Dixie Fire in the Lake Almanor West community on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Flames from the Dixie Fire consume a home and pickup truck on Highway 89 south of Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Homes and cars destroyed by the Dixie Fire line central Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Northern Sonoma County Fire District firefighters Erik Padilla, left, and Joe Young extinguish hot spots while protecting Lake Almanor West homes from the Dixie Fire on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. They work out of the Geyserville Fire Station. (AP Photo)

Flames from the Dixie Fire consume a pickup truck on Highway 89 south of Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Flames from the Dixie Fire consume a home on Highway 89 south of Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Northern Sonoma County Fire District firefighters Erik Padilla, right, and Joe Young extinguish hot spots while protecting Lake Almanor West homes from the Dixie Fire on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. They work out of the Geyserville Fire Station. (AP Photo)

This photo shows homes destroyed by the Dixie Fire line central Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Santa Rosa firefighter Capt. AJ Alcocer and his crew battle the Dixie Fire in the Lake Almanor West community on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

This photo shows cars and homes destroyed by the Dixie Fire line central Greenville on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Plumas County, Calif. (AP Photo)

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal to board a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo)

In this handout photo provided by the Ministry of Defence, UK military personnel onboard a A400M aircraft departing Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Britain has ended evacuation flights from Kabul airport and begun bringing U.K. troops home. Britain’s defense ministry said the final fl...

People evacuated from Afghanistan board a bus after arriving at the Rome Leonardo da Vinci airport, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Italy’s final evacuation flight of refugees from Afghanistan has landed ain Rome. The Italian Air Force C-130J with 58 Afghan citizens aboard arrived on Saturday morning som...

A woman wearing a burqa and holding a poster reading "Do not forget us after Aug.31" attends a gathering in a show of solidarity with women from Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 in Paris. France ended evacuation operations on Friday and its team at the makeshift French Embassy at Kabul's airport...

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, right, speaks as Army Maj. Gen. William "Hank" Taylor, left, listens during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, on the situation in Afghanistan. (AP Photo)

Turkish Airlines crew members pose with newly born Afghan baby girl Havva, which translates as Eve in English, during a flight between Dubai and Birmingham, U.K., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. An evacuation flight from Afghanistan landed in the U.K. with an extra passenger on Saturday after cabin crew de...

Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo)

Taliban commando fighters stand guard in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, southwestern, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (AP Photo)

Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo)

U.S military aircraft takes off at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. The massive U.S.-led airlift was winding down Saturday ahead of a U.S. deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan by Tuesday. Most allies have completed their own airlifts and flown o...

Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo)

A volunteer interacts with a child evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo)

Taliban commando fighters and officials attend a gathering to celebrate their victory in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, southwestern, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (AP Photo)

Taliban fighter patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo)

Taliban fighter stand guard at a checkpoint near the gate of Hamid Karzai international Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. The Taliban have sealed off Kabul’s airport to most would-be evacuees to prevent large crowds from gathering after this week's deadly suicide attack. The ...

Runway

China is expanding the construction of its facilities on Fiery Cross Reef. Provided by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), this June 28, 2015 photo reveals Beijing has nearly completed a 3,000 meter (9,800-foot) airstrip, long enough to accommodate most Chinese military aircraft. Two h...

Expansion

Reclamation on Fiery Cross Reef, which lies on the west side of the Spratly Islands, began in August of 2014 and its principal landmass was finished by November. Dredgers have created a land mass that spans the entire existing reef and is approximately 3,000 meters long and 200-300 meters wide.

Facilities

This picture taken last November shows construction work being carried out on Fiery Cross Reef. The reef reportedly already houses a helicopter landing pad, a 300-meter-long wharf, a harbor large enough to dock military tankers, barracks and artillery emplacements.

South Johnson Reef

This reef was one of the first facilities to finish principal land reclamation. This recent picture shows that a radar tower is nearing completion at the north end of the land mass. According to AMTI, a new large multi-level military facility has been built in the center of the island. Up to six sur...

A naval base?

Beginning in early 2015, Mischief Reef - also located in the Spratlys - has undergone extensive reclamation activity. Experts say that the recent widening of the southern entrance to the reef, coupled with sightings of Chinese navy vessels, may suggest a future role for the reclaimed reef as a naval...

From reef to island

Significant construction on Gaven Reef began in 2014, with a total of 114,000 square meters of land already created. Satellite pictures show just how fast construction has progressed on the reef. A new artificial island was created between March (left) and August (right) 2014.

Troop garrison

According to AMTI, China has had a troop garrison on Gaven Reef since 2003, which has included a large supply platform where ships can dock. Experts say a new main square building in the reef appears to be an anti-aircraft tower.

A standardized process

As seen in this image, the basic process of expanding these features involves dredging sand from the seafloor and dumping it onto the reefs. The structure is raised above the high water line, hiding the status of the bank or reef beneath. The sand is then smoothed out and workers surround the island...

'Historic rights'

China claims most of the potentially energy-rich waterway, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The US Pacific Fleet commander recently said China was "creating a great wall of sand" in the South China Sea, causing serious concerns about its territorial intentions. Beijin...

Territorial disputes

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims, which have led to territorial disputes in the area. Last summer, China's deployment of a massive oil rig in waters also claimed by Hanoi escalated tensions in the region, sparking a standoff at sea and violent anti-C...

US concerns

Washington is concerned China's efforts carry a military dimension that could undermine the US' naval and economic power in the Pacific, and has weighed sending warships and surveillance aircraft within 12 nautical miles of the new artificial islands. Washington has repeatedly called on Beijing and ...

Ecological impact

The Philippines filed a formal plea at the UN last year, challenging Beijing's territorial claims. Manila said China's reclamation activities are causing "irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the South China Sea." It also claimed that the destruction of co...

South Sea Fleet/China National Radio A JH-7 fighter-bomber assigned to the People's Liberation Army South Sea Fleet fires rockets during a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea on 14 and 15 May.

South Sea Fleet/China National Radio A warplane assigned to the People's Liberation Army South Sea Fleet strafe a floating target with rocket during a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea on 14 and 15 May. South Sea Fleet/China National Radio

South Sea Fleet/China National Radio A warplane assigned to the People's Liberation Army South Sea Fleet strafe a floating target with rocket during a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea on 14 and 15 May. South Sea Fleet/China National Radio

South Sea Fleet/China National Radio A JH-7 fighter-bomber assigned to the People's Liberation Army South Sea Fleet takes off from a runway during a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea on 14 and 15 May. South Sea Fleet/China National Radio