Tropical Storm Ida is strengthening in the Caribbean Sea and is forecast to hammer the northern U.S. Gulf Coast as a major hurricane this weekend with life-threatening storm surge, dangerous rainfall flooding, potentially devastating winds and tornadoes.
The National Hurricane Center has just upgraded parts of western Cuba to a hurricane warning, including the Isle of Youth and the provinces of Pinar del Rio and Artemisa.
A hurricane watch continues in effect from Cameron, Louisiana, to the Mississippi-Alabama state line, including the New Orleans metro area. Hurricane watches are typically issued 48 hours in advance of when tropical storm-force winds are expected to arrive since these conditions make it difficult to make preparations for a hurricane, once they begin.
A storm surge watch is also in effect from the Texas-Louisiana state line to the Alabama-Florida state line, including Vermilion Bay, Lake Borgne, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas and Mobile Bay. This means dangerous flooding from storm surge is possible within the next 48 hours.
Finally, a tropical storm watch has been issued near the Alabama coast, where tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.
Interests near the coast from Louisiana to Alabama should monitor Ida’s progress closely and make hurricane preparations. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says there is an increasing risk for hurricane-force winds, flooding rainfall and life-threatening storm surge Sunday and Monday, especially in Louisiana.
Current Status
Tropical Storm Ida is located in the western Caribbean Sea approaching western Cuba, moving northwest.
Bands of heavy rain continue to soak parts of Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
Thunderstorms continue to erupt near Ida’s center, typically a sign of a strengthening tropical cyclone.
Ida became the ninth named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season late Thursday afternoon while located between Grand Cayman and Jamaica, based on measurements by a U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter mission.