Parts of the Gulf Coast are bracing for what could be a major storm. Hurricane watches are now in effect from southwestern Louisiana to the borders of Mississippi and Alabama. Ida was upgraded today from a tropical story to a hurricane. It’s expected to hit Louisiana as a Category 3 or 4 hurricane with winds over 120 mph. According to The Times-Picayune:
The latest track has Ida coming ashore Sunday, bringing life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds and heavy rain to southeast Louisiana. Sunday also is the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
As of 1 p.m., Hurricane Ida had winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 storm, according to data from the Hurricane Hunters.
The storm is expected to gain strength as it tracks north through warm water.
Hurricane Ida poised to become a massive major hurricane, rapidly intensifying over very warm Gulf of Mexico waters. Reliable models indicating central pressure consistent with at least Category 4.
ECMWF model Maximum wind gusts over water ~170 mph. pic.twitter.com/ezvHLcKDMn— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) August 27, 2021
Up to 20 inches of rain is forecast for southeast Louisiana, that includes in New Orleans. New Orlean’s
Being on the east side of the storm track, we’re anticipating significant impacts‼️
We are calling for a mandatory evacuation for areas outside the levee system, including Lake Catherine, Irish Bayou, & Venetian Isles.
Residents in those areas must evacuate by Saturday AM.
— Mayor LaToya Cantrell (@mayorcantrell) August 27, 2021
Watch more above from the CBS affiliate in New Orleans.
