Live updates: Ida gets stronger, expected to be Category 4 hurricane at landfall

Read the latest updates from Saturday here.

10 p.m. Friday update

The latest Hurricane Hunter data and satellite images how Hurricane Ida is strengthening, and the storm is still forecast to be “an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane” at landfall.

Ida made landfall in Cuba at 6:20 p.m. Central Time. Moving over land did not weaken it much, and the hurricane still has a well-defined eye.

The storm is now in the Gulf of Mexico, where conditions are near-perfect for it to rapidly intensify: warm waters, moist air and low wind shear.

“In fact, it seems likely that Ida will pass over a warm eddy over the central Gulf of Mexico, where the ocean heat content is very high,” the National Hurricane Center said. “All of the models show significant strengthening, but there is a fair amount of spread on how strong the hurricane will get.”

The NHC’s forecast of a Category 4 is “near the high end” of what models predict.

Hurricane Ida is still forecast to reach peak 140 mph winds before landfall in Louisiana late Sunday or early Monday morning.

As the system crosses the Gulf, the wind field is likely to expand, and the first winds could reach the coast by Sunday morning.

“Therefore, all preparations to protect life and property for this dangerous event need to be made on Saturday.”

After landfall, rapid weakening is expected due to land interaction, drier air, and an increase in shear.

The three coastal counties in Mississippi are still under a hurricane watch, storm surge warning and tropical storm warning.

There is a “danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation” of 7-11 feet in Hancock and Harrison counties and 4-7 feet in Jackson County.

Heavy rainfall of over 10 inches is possible along with flooding and tornadoes.

The Hurricane Center urged everyone “to not focus on the exact details of the track forecast as storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts will extend far from the center.”

7 p.m. update

Ida strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane just after Friday afternoon, intensifying warnings for residents across the Mississippi Coast to prepare now for the storm’s projected landfall as a major Category 4 hurricane.

Hurricane Hunters from Keelser Air Force Base in Biloxi confirmed Ida had strengthened into a hurricane just after noon near the Isle of Youth, Cuba.

Ida’s winds had increased to 90 mph by Friday evening and are expected to continue to intensify to a Category 4 hurricane in the next 24 to 36 hours. Winds of 140 mph are possible near the eye of the storm before landfall in Louisiana.

A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the Louisiana coast from Intracoastal City to the mouth to the Pearl River and includes Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans.

Forecasters say conditions are favorable for Ida to continue strengthening as it barrels through the Gulf of Mexico. They predict landfall sometime late Sunday or early Monday morning.

A state of emergency is in effect in Louisiana and in Mississippi Coast counties.

Coast EMA updates

“Impacts to Harrison County include rainfall of 10+ inches, storm surge of 7-11 feet, winds gusting to hurricane force, and possible short-lived tornadoes,” the Harrison County Emergency Management Agency said at 5 p.m.

Hancock County issued a mandatory evacuation order for 11 neighborhoods.

Hancock County Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Adam and other Coast officials also are urging other residents in low-lying areas prone to flooding to consider evacuating.

Preparations for Ida should be well under way, Adam warned.

Jackson County Emergency Services Director Earl Etheridge is also encouraging voluntary evacuations in low-lying areas.

Other evacuation orders are expected in South Mississippi.

Shelters will start opening on the Mississippi Coast on Saturday.

Storm surge, rainfall

Once Ida gets past Cuba, “conditions are likely to result in a period of rapid strengthening during the next 24 to 36 hours,” the NHC said. The wind field is also forecast to expand.

Up to 7-11 feet of storm surge is forecast from Louisiana to Ocean Springs, the NHC said, and as much as 4-7 feet in Jackson County to the Mississippi/Alabama border.

“There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge inundation along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama..,” the NHC said Friday, and heavy rains across the Louisiana and Mississippi Coast from Sunday into Monday is expected to lead to “considerable flash, urban, small, stream and river flooding.”

Rainfall of 8 to 12 inches — with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches — is forecast along the central Gulf Coast from Sunday into Monday, the Hurricane Center said.

Tornadoes are possible.

The Sun Herald will update this story throughout the day Friday with the latest forecasts.

The National Hurricane Center issues forecast updates for named storms every six hours at 4 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., and changes to advisories every three hours.

Hurricane shelters

Pets are not allowed at shelters, and COVID-19 protocols must be followed including wearing masks, social distancing and temperature checks.

Jackson County

• East Jackson County, 18413 Highway 613, Hurley
• West Jackson County, 13000 Walker Road, Ocean Springs.

Shelters will open 6 p.m. Saturday. Ocean Springs residents should call 228-875-406 before 3 p.m. Saturday for transportation to the shelter there.

Harrison County

• D’Iberville High School shelter, 15625 Lamey Bridge Road, Biloxi.
• County Farm Road shelter, 15038 County Farm Road, Gulfport.
• West Harrison High School shelter, 10399 County Farm Road, Gulfport.
• Harrison Central HIgh School, 15600 School Road, Gulfport.
• Lobouy Road shelter, 9505 Lobouy Road, Pass Christian.
• Saucier Lizana Road shelter, 23771 Saucier Lizana Road, Saucier.

Hancock County

Opens at 10 a.m. Saturday

• Kiln shelter, 18320 Highway 43, Kiln.

George County

Open at 8 a.m. Sunday

• Agricola Storm Shelter, 3161 Cooks Corner Road
• Benndale Storm Shelter, 5207 Hwy. 26 West

Medical Needs Shelter in Stone County

The Mississippi State Department of Health is opening a shelter of last resort for those people whose medical needs cannot be accommodated in a general population shelter.

It is at 1640 Coy Avenue in Wiggins.

Shelter admission is evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Those with health or medical conditions who require professional observation or care,
• Those with chronic conditions who require assistance with daily living activities or skilled nursing care, but do not require hospitalization,
• Those who need supervised medication dispensing or vital signs readings,
• Those with physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities who cannot be sheltered in a general population shelter, or
• Those with other disabilities who cannot be sheltered in a general population shelter.

Only one caregiver may accompany the resident inside the shelter. All residents should bring any prescribed medication or equipment needed for care if possible.

Service animals will be allowed. Other family pets can be accommodated in a nearby location.

Please be advised that because of COVID-19, the shelter will only operate at limited capacity with socially distanced medical-grade cots. Please bring clothes for your stay, as well as a mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.

For general population shelter information, visit https://www.msema.org/shelters.

Transportation to shelters

Coast Transit Authority will provide rides to Harrison County shelters once they open.. All riders must be ready for pickup at the time set by Harrison County EMA officials.

Passengers will be transported to the shelters closest to their homes.

There is two-bag carry-on limit for each passenger and riders should bring their own hurricane supplies, such as food and water, oxygen, medications, baby formulas, wipes and diapers.

Passengers are required to wear masks. Log on to CoastTransit.com or call 228-896-8080 for more information.

Sandbag locations

These self-serve locations in Harrison County open at 8 a.m. Friday. Bags and sand will be available, but bring a shovel.

Biloxi — District 5 Woolmarket Work Center, 16395 Old Woolmarket Road

D’Iberville — District 1 D’Iberville Work Center, 10085 Doris Deno Ave.

Gulfport

• U.S. 90 & Courthouse Road (south of 90)
• Harrison County Road Department, 10076 Lorraine Road
• District 2 Lyman Work Center, 15001 County Farm Road
• District 4 Orange Grove Work Center, 8300 34th Ave.

Long Beach

• District 3 Long Beach Work Center, 605 North Seal Ave.
• Long Beach Harbor

These self-serve locations in Hancock County open at noon Friday Those who need assistance should contact the county Emergency Management Agency at 228-255-0942 or Hancock County Central Dispatch at 228-255-9191:

• Hancock County Horse Arena, 4184 Kiln Delisle Road
• Old Hancock County Complex, 3068 Longfellow Drive
• Lakeshore Community Center, 6440 Lower Bay Road
• Bayside Fire Department, 6215 West Hinds Street
• West Hancock Fire Department, 16006 Washington Street
• Diamondhead City Hall, 5000 Diamondhead Circle

These Jackson County self-serve location will be open by noon Friday. Bring a shovel; bags are provided.

Ocean Springs

• Public Works Department, 712 A Pine Drive
• Ocean Springs at West Division Roads Department, N. Washington Avenue (MS 609)

• Fontainebleau Fire Department, 3901 MS 57 South

• St. Andrews Fire Department, 1401 Elm St.

Moss Point

• New Central Fire Station, 4204 Bellview St.

• East Division Roads Department, 10825 MS 63

• Forts Lake Fire Department, 10701 Forts Lake Road
• Escatawpa Fire Station, 3801 Sentinel Drive

Others in Jackson County

• Gautier behind City Hall, U.S. 90
• Pascagoula at Jackson County Fairgrounds, 2902 Shortcut Road
• Vancleave at Central Division Roads Dept., 8500 Jim Ramsey Road

Other Sun Herald coverage from Friday

This story was originally published August 27, 2021 at 5:50 AM.