Photo: NOAA
IDA is now a MAJOR Category 4 Hurricane and it's getting stronger. Maximum sustained winds are now 150 mph.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Louisiana in the next few hours. On the forecast track, the center of Ida will make landfall along the coast of southeastern Louisiana within the hurricane warning area late this morning or early this afternoon. Ida is then forecast to move well inland over portions of Louisiana and western Mississippi on Monday and Monday night.
Local officials are preparing for a MAJOR DISASTER in the affected area. Forecasters warned about Ida's potential to intensify as it passes over the extremely warm waters that are along the immediate coastline. The core of the storm could pass directly over Houma and Baton Rouge, and very close to New Orleans, Morgan City, and Lafayette.
The Gulf Coast is now under a hurricane warning that stretches from Louisiana’s central coast to the Mississippi state line. Storm surge is expected in Mobile Bay.
IDA is predicted to hit New Orleans on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and threatens additional population centers along the Gulf Coast and hundreds of miles inland.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* East of Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border
* Vermilion Bay, Lake Borgne, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Mobile Bay
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mouth of the Pearl River
* Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Cameron Louisiana to west of Intracoastal City Louisiana
* Mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama/Florida border