Hurricane Ida made landfall on August 29, 2021, in southwestern Louisiana and devastated the region’s industrial landscape. Its disruptions to atmospheric composition were detected by the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI). This study quantifies NO2 spatial changes and estimates top-down NO x emissions for two cities impacted by Hurricane Ida, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Considering the difference in NO2 lifetime pre- and post-Ida, top-down derived NO x emissions for each impacted city saw decreases in NO x emissions of ∼40% and ∼80% for New Orleans and Baton Rouge, respectively. However, a significant increase in the TROPOMI NO2 level was seen during the posthurricane period, occurring only on September 2, 2021, where potential causes of such deviation are attributed to hurricane recovery actions. When this date is excluded from post-Ida averages, the NO x emission estimates are further decreased by ∼80% and ∼92% for New Orleans and Baton Rouge, respectively. Short-lived extreme weather events and their accompanying preparatory and recovery actions are unique drivers of change in NO x emissions. This study demonstrates the use of satellite products to provide a quick emission analysis of areas affected by such events and illustrates the necessity of understanding their influence on atmospheric pollutants.

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