HURRICANE Ida is rampaging towards the US with terrifying 150mph winds and a life-threatening storm surge.
Ida has strengthened to a Category 4 storm as it barrels towards Louisiana, prompting thousands to flee as it looks set to make landfall in the state on Sunday.
The National Hurricane Center is also warning that Ida could cause “extremely life threatening inundation of nine feet or greater above ground level” between Morgan City and the coast of Mississippi.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said the hurricane will be one of the strongest storms to hit the state “since at least the 1850s.”
The storm, which forecasters suspect could make landfall in southeastern Louisiana on Sunday afternoon or evening, would likely create winds around 130mph, heavy rains, and a tidal surge.
On Saturday, President Joe Biden warned people in the Louisiana area to “pay attention and be prepared” for what was “turning into a very, very dangerous storm.”
He later said: “We have deployed emergency response personnel and pre-positioned food, water, generators, and supplies to make sure we’re ready to respond.”
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Nora is also gaining strength and could hit the southwest coast of Mexico early next week.
Read our Tropical Storm Ida live blog for the latest news and updates…
‘NORTHERN EYEWALL OF IDA MOVING ONSHORE’
PEAK STORM SURGE FORECAST GRAPHIC
Some coastal areas of Louisiana can expect a storm surge of 12 to 16 feet.
Extremely life-threatening storm surge inundation of 9 feet or greater above ground level is imminent somewhere within the area from Burns Point, LA, to Ocean Springs, MS. Overtopping of local levees outside of the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System is possible#Ida pic.twitter.com/sciF8A7PRl
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 29, 2021
‘THE TIME TO EVACUATE HAS PASSED’
BREAKING: The City of Thibodaux is asking everyone to shelter in place and stay off the roads. The time to evacuate has passed. A curfew remains in effect until further notice. @WGNOtv
— Chris Welty (@Chris_R_Welty) August 29, 2021
HOW IS HURRICANE IDA BEHAVING?
IDA TO MOVE INLAND LATER TODAY
GENERATOR TIPS
NWS New Orleans offered some generator safety tips on Sunday.
They tweeted: “If you are planning to use a generator after the Hurricane #Ida, follow these tips below.
“Never use a generator inside or in an attached garage! Do not store the gas indoors!
“Don’t plug a portable generator into an electrical outlet in your home or garage. Stay safe!”
If you are planning to use a generator after the Hurricane #Ida, follow these tips below. Never use a generator inside or in an attached garage! Do not store the gas indoors! Don’t plug a portable generator into an electrical outlet in your home or garage. Stay safe! #lawx #mswx pic.twitter.com/ju2AZdL0fu
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 29, 2021
CONTINUED WARNING FOR ‘EXTREMELY LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE’
IDA NEARING SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF LOUISIANA
Hurricane #Ida Advisory 14: Eye of Extremely Dangerous Category 4 Hurricane Ida Nearing The Southeastern Coast of Louisiana. Catastrophic Storm Surge and Hurricane-Force Winds Moving Onshore. https://t.co/VqHn0u1vgc
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 29, 2021
‘WATER LEVELS RAPIDLY RISING’ AS IDA APPROACHES
NOAA’s Ocean Service tweeted on Sunday morning: “As #Ida approaches, water levels are rapidly rising from southeastern Louisiana to Mobile, AL.
“Pilots Station East, SW Pass recorded a wind gust of 125 mph+.”
‘EYE OF A MONSTER’
US AIRFORCE LANDFALL CREW PREPARES TO TAKEOFF
IDA REMAINS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE
The Weather Channel reported shortly after 10am that Ida “remains a Cat 4 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.”
“Hurricane Ida is just 40 miles south-southeast of Grand Isle, LA.,” The Weather Channel explained. “Catastrophic wind damage is likely where the core of Ida moves onshore along the southeast coast of Louisiana in the next few hours.”
#Ida remains a Cat 4 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Hurricane Ida is just 40 miles south-southeast of Grand Isle, LA. Catastrophic wind damage is likely where the core of Ida moves onshore along the southeast coast of Louisiana in the next few hours. pic.twitter.com/dKrsOQmK0n
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 29, 2021
FEMA URGES SAFETY IN PARTS OF LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI
#Ida is bringing catastrophic winds in the next few hours. The gusts will spread inland to parts of southern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi. Stay safe:
✅ Avoid trees and power lines.
✅ Secure loose outdoor items or bring them inside.
✅ Beware of blowing debris. https://t.co/OhiAPF6hVF pic.twitter.com/JCZKs3NKlc— FEMA (@fema) August 29, 2021
‘ROLLING, SUPERCHARGED EYEWALL’
STORM SURGE FLOODING BEGINS
Weather Channel Meteorologist tweeted: “Storm Surge flooding is already ongoing in #GrandIsle, LA.
“Particularly concerning is the onshore flow overnight around high tide.
“This will be destructive flooding for portions of southern Louisiana outside of the protective barriers of levees and flood gates.”
Storm Surge flooding is already ongoing in #GrandIsle, LA. Particularly concerning is the onshore flow overnight around high tide. This will be destructive flooding for portions of southern Louisiana outside of the protective barriers of levees and flood gates. pic.twitter.com/Lv4To34eqh
— Felicia Combs (@FeliciaCombsTWC) August 29, 2021
THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER
Thousands of Louisiana residents have lost power as Hurricane Ida nears and is expected to make landfall within the next few hours, WDSU reports.
The storm is also getting close to reaching a Category 5 strength.
The WDSU Weather Team says Hurricane Ida could make landfall earlier than the expected time of 1pm.
According to WDSU’s report, Entergy and Cleco reported thousands of customers had lost power as of 7am.
‘EXPECT ANXIETY TO RISE’ AS IDA APPROACHES, DR WARNS
Everyone should expect their anxiety to rise exponentially as the storm approaches. Remember to rely on your preparedness and recognize that the storm will pass. Be very mindful to protect your physical and mental health over any material goods. https://t.co/AXeY0eEwDI
— Dr. Corey Hébert® (@DrCHebertWDSU) August 29, 2021
‘WE HAVE HARD TIMES AHEAD’
Meteorologists at the Nation Weather Service Slidell office warned on Sunday morning: “We have hard times ahead, but we will all persevere.
“Take all messages we, public officials and broadcast media are saying SERIOUSLY.”
As meteorologists at the National Weather Service Slidell office, we can’t bear to see this on satellite. We have hard times ahead, but we will all persevere. Take all messages we, public officials and broadcast media are saying SERIOUSLY. Stay tuned for more frequent updates. pic.twitter.com/3dPhxHrUwI
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 29, 2021
CARS ‘ALREADY STUCK’ ON HIGHWAY
Two cars have already gotten stuck at Hwy 90 and Miramar I’m Biloxi as water has already taken over the roadway. #Ida is powerful, major hurricane and approaching landfall. pic.twitter.com/W4P9JKyTSi
— Justin Mitchell (@JustinMitchell_) August 29, 2021
IDA ‘INCHES CLOSER’ TO COAST
LOUISIANA HIT WITH EXTREME WIND WARNING
An extreme wind warning is in effect for Houma LA, Bayou Cane LA, Estelle LA until 10:45 AM CDT for extremely dangerous hurricane winds. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an interior room or shelter NOW!. pic.twitter.com/epznSuFe1J
— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) August 29, 2021
‘EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 STORM’
#Ida is still a very powerful and extremely dangerous Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds at 150 mph.
We’re live in the studio and out in the field to bring you the latest on what will likely be a devastating storm for many. pic.twitter.com/LSWwnMoj3M
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 29, 2021
STORM SURGE
Social media users were uploading videos and pictures of the storm surge.
The National Hurricane Center said Ida will bring “life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds reaching the coast of southeastern Louisiana.”
The storm is expected to make landfall in the area in “the next few hours,” the center said.
SATELLITE FOOTAGE OF IDA
‘EXTREMELY LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE’
The National Hurricane Center’s 7am CDT update warned: “Extremely life-threatening storm surge inundation of 9 feet or greater above ground level is imminent somewhere within the area from Burns Point, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.”
Catastrophic wind damage is also likely “where the core of Ida moves on shore along the southeast coast of Louisiana in the next few hours.”
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
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