Skip to main content
Hurricane Ida

A satellite image shows Tropical Storm Ida after forming in the Caribbean, about 75 miles (125 kilometers) north-northwest of Grand Cayman, August 27, 2021. NOAA/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

U.S.

Hurricane Ida poised to hit New Orleans as category 3 storm on Katrina anniversary

Aug 27, 2021

Share

Residents in New Orleans and along the rest of Louisiana’s coast are bracing for Hurricane Ida. It could come on Sunday, which is also the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The devastating storm was responsible for an estimated 1,800 deaths from the Louisiana coast to the Mississippi/Alabama border.

Ida became a hurricane with maximum winds of 75 mph right before making landfall on Cuba’s southern Isle of Youth Friday. Forecasters said as much as 20 inches of rain could fall in places, which could lead to deadly flash floods and mudslides.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to move through Western Cuba Friday, over the southeastern and central Gulf of Mexico Friday night and Saturday, and make landfall along the U.S. portion of the Gulf Coast Sunday.

As of 2:00 p.m. EDT Friday, there was a hurricane watch in place for the following areas:

  • Cameron, Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border
  • Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans

There is a tropical storm watch in place from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Alabama/Florida border.

Ida is predicted to strengthen very quickly with winds reaching 125 mph before making landfall Sunday. That would make it a category 3 hurricane. Capt. Ross Eichorn, who operates a fishing guide service on the coast about 70 miles southwest of New Orleans, said warm Gulf waters will “make a monster” out of Ida.

“With a direct hit, ain’t no telling what’s going to be left — if anything,” Eichorn said. “Anybody that isn’t concerned has got something wrong with them.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell ordered the evacuation of everyone living outside the levee system that protects the area from flooding.  Officials warned they plan to close floodgates Saturday afternoon on two highways near New Orleans.

According to The White House, President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state of Louisiana. Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell are expected to discuss hurricane preparations Friday in a conference call with the governors of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.