Hurricane Ida will be a ‘monster storm’ at landfall. What it means for the MS Coast.
Hurricane Ida has formed an eye as it heads toward the Gulf of Mexico, where the storm is now expected to rapidly intensify under favorable conditions and pound ashore Sunday at a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 140 mph.
“Catastrophic damage” can be expected from a Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Category 4 hurricanes have wind speeds of 130-156 mph.
Landfall is expected in southeast Louisiana, but heavy rainfall and storm surge will be worst to the north and east of the storm.
The following weather alerts apply to the Mississippi Coast.
- A tropical storm warning, with winds up to 74 mph, from the mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi-Alabama border. Storm-force winds could arrive within 48 hours.
- A storm surge warning for the entire Mississippi coastline, with 7-11 feet of storm surge forecast from Hancock County to Ocean Springs and 4-7 feet from Ocean Springs to the Alabama border. Surge could arrive within 36 hours.
- Potential for life-threatening flash-flooding with 8 to 16 inches of rain and isolated maximum
amounts of 20 inches.
A hurricane watch for the entire Mississippi Coast, meaning hurricane conditions are still possible within 48 hours.
“This is a life-threatening situation,” the National Hurricane Center warns. “Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions.”
The 4 p.m. forecast update significantly increased the expected strength of the storm.
“In addition to the expected increase in strength, the dynamical model guidance again calls for Ida’s wind field to expand while it moves over the Gulf of Mexico.”
‘Monster storm’ headed this way
Longtime Gulf Coast meteorologist Rocco Calaci urges Mississippi Coast residents to keep their guard up.
The NHC continues to forecast “steady and rapid strengthening” of Ida once the storm clears Cuba later Friday night and moves over warm Gulf waters. The storm could potentially reach Category 5 strength of 157 mph, although the forecast does not call for winds that high right now.
If the track shifts east, hurricane-force winds extending out 50 miles could put a good portion of the Mississippi Coast in Ida’s wind field on the roughest side of the storm.
“Everybody, everybody on the Mississippi Coast should be aware there’s monster storm heading to their area,” Calaci said. “Everybody needs to be ready and prepared.”
This story was originally published August 27, 2021 at 4:28 PM.
