Hurricane Ida would hit Louisiana as Category 4 on Sunday, according to forecasts
Hurricane Ida near western Cuba, the 27 August 2021.
Photo: NOAA / NASA / Courtesy
The Hurricane Ida, which meteorologists expect will make landfall on the Louisiana coast Sunday night as a powerful Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 123 mph, represents a significant threat to the New Orleans metropolitan area, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Hurricane Ida had winds Sustained highs of 80 mph with higher gusts Friday night as they passed over western Cuba, according to the National Hurricane Center. Ida could deliver from 8 to 20 inches of rain a the Cayman Islands and western Cuba, including the Isle of Youth, according to the forecast of the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
“Ida is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the coast,” noted the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The cone shows the possible path of Hurricane Ida in the next 5 days. / Courtesy: NOAA / NHC
Authorities in Louisiana and in coastal areas of other states have already issued mandatory evacuation orders or volunteer on Friday, in anticipation of major damage.
The center of Hurricane Ida was located approaching western Cuba reported the NHC in its 5 p.m. bulletin Ida is moving northwest near 15 mph (24 km / h) with sustained winds of 75 mph and this general movement should continue until Ida reaches the North Gulf Coast on Sunday.
Hurricane # Ida is approaching wes tern Cuba and forecast to strengthen rapidly. Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings have been issued for portions of the Gulf Coast. Here are the latest Key Messages. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB for details. pic.twitter.com/8oUoRXl1bO
New Orleans gets ready as Ida heads to the Gulf Coast
“ What I can tell you is that Hurricane Ida is intensifying rapidly and the situation is changing, apparently hourly , “Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said in a press conference on Friday.
The governor of Louisiana asked the federal government to declare an emergency to free up recovery resources.
And in New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a mandatory evacuation order of all areas of the city that are outside its flood protection system, as well as a voluntary evacuation alert for the rest of the city.
There is a Hurricane Warning in effect for the Louisiana coast from the Intracoastal City to the Mouth of the Pearl River, including Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and the New Orleans metropolitan area.
In addition to threats from storm surge and winds, Hurricane # Ida is likely to produce heavy rainfall later Sunday into Monday resulting in considerable coastal and inland flash, urban, small stream, and river flooding.
Heavy rains, flash floods, dangerous storm surges, and damage from high winds are the greatest risks from major hurricanes , so it is recommended, given that there is a limited time to prepare, that anyone in the path of Ida should take immediate precautions.
That means making sure your hurricane safety equipment is provided and that you have a plan designed for your family.
Time will be limited to make last minute preparations, so get started as soon as possible.
