Live updates: Hurricane Ida strengthens to major hurricane, threatens Coast

1 a.m. NHC update

Hurricane Ida strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 1 a.m. update.

The storm now has maximum winds of 115 mph and is moving northwest at 15 mph. Ida’s wind speed increased by 10 mph since the NHC’s 10 p.m. update.

Tropical storm-force winds have now reached the southern tip Louisiana’s coastline. Stronger winds are expected as the storm makes its way closer to landfall on Sunday.

Ida will come ashore on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

10 p.m. NHC update

Hurricane Ida’s pressure dropped and wind field has expanded further over the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 10 p.m. update.

The center’s nighttime advisory said an “extremely life-threatening” storm surges of 9 feet or higher above ground level is possible somewhere within the area of the Mississippi Coast to Morgan City, Louisiana. The latest runs of the numerical models bring the center of Ida to southeast or south-central Louisiana Sunday afternoon.

Ida is likely to produce heavy rainfall Sunday into Monday across the central Gulf Coast including coastal Mississippi, according to the advisory, resulting in “considerable to life-threatening flash and urban flooding and significant river flooding impacts.”

The Southeast could see significant flooding impacts through Wednesday as Ida moves inland.

Although landfall is not expected for about 18 hours, impacts will begin well before that time, according to the National Weather Service discussion.

“Tropical-storm-force winds are likely to begin overnight, therefore, all preparations to protect life and property must be rushed to completion.”

National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Jared Klein said the strongest winds the Coast will see should be in Hancock County, the furthest west.

“All indications [are] that it’s going to track further west, with storm surges and heavy rain,” Klein said.

If the storm continues to shift east, winds could climb to about 45-50 mph. Western Hancock County could get up to 80 mph.

Biden approves Mississippi emergency declaration

President Joe Biden on Saturday night declared a state of emergency in Mississippi ahead of Hurricane Ida’s landfall, ordering federal assistance to aid in state and local response to the storm.

The approved emergency declaration triggers FEMA and Department of Homeland Security help for disaster relief efforts in central and south Mississippi counties including George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.

Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance will be provided at 75% federal funding, according to a White House press release.

Ocean Springs shelter closed

Jackson County will not have an Ocean Springs shelter open during Ida, it’s only American Red Cross-staffed location will be in Vancleave.

Jackson County requested personnel to open and staff the Ocean Springs shelter after the request deadline, according to John McFarland, executive director of Red Cross Southeast Mississippi Chapter.

Red Cross shelter teams said they were told by the county that only one shelter was needed.

“The only request they had was for Vancleave,” McFarland said. “They said they only needed the one location.”

The Vancleave shelter is located at 5500 Ball Park Rd. Vancleave, MS. It opened at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Harrison County curfew

A curfew starts at 8 a.m. Sunday for Harrison County, which includes the cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, D’Iberville, Long Beach and Pass Christian.

Everyone is asked to limit travel to emergency reasons only until conditions are safe and the curfew is lifted, the county said in a press release.

EMA Director Matt Stratton said in the press release that wrecks and accidents can divert first responders from other emergency situations.

4 p.m. NHC update

The National Hurricane center’s 4 p.m. update said Ida’s shape has continued to improve over the afternoon, satellite shows, and Hurricane Hunter air craft are gathering more data in the next few hours.

The track has moved a little to the right of its previous path, and a storm surge warning has been extended across the Alabama coast to the Florida border. But the forecast has not changed for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The National Weather Service in New Orleans said the MS Coast should expect sustained winds of up to 74 mph, rainfall of 8-12 inches, 7-11 feet of storm surge in Harrison and Hancock counties and 4-7 feet in Jackson County.

Winds were at 105 miles per hour, a Category 2 storm, and the NHC said Ida “appears to have begun its anticipated rapid intensification phase.” It is forecast to be a Category 4 in 12-18 hours.

Ida is expected to move northwestward after landfall on the Louisiana coast on Sunday afternoon.

The rest of the NHC forecast is largely unchanged from earlier updates.

Shelter transportation

Coast Transit Authority said bus routes will run as scheduled today, with the exception of the Casino Hopper, which will discontinue at 7:08 p.m.

CTA will be providing transportation to local FEMA P-361 designated shelters until 7 p.m. today.

Call CTA directly at 228-896-8080 to schedule a trip and receive instructions.

To see all the shelters, scroll to the bottom of this story.

3 p.m. update: Gov. Reeves speaks

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said he spoke with President Joe Biden and FEMA administrators on Friday ahead of Hurricane Ida and requested a federal emergency declaration.

Reeves said he expected it would be approved shortly.

Aid from the federal government is also a key part of the state’s plans for hospitals, which are already crowded with COVID-19 patients in the worst wave of the pandemic so far.

Dr. Jim Craig, director of health protection at the state health department, said critical care transfers to hospitals in southern Mississippi had been decreased in the past few days in anticipation of Ida’s arrival. Federal teams are helping to staff hospitals and additional “strike teams” may be deployed as the storm progresses, Craig said.

“We’re better prepared today than we were for Katrina 16 years ago, but we’re also dealing with a major pandemic,” Craig said.

Reeves also urged Mississippians to stay off interstates as much as possible to ease the way for evacuating Louisianans. Five New Orleans parishes are under mandatory evacuation orders.

“We can use the back roads,” Reeves said.

Reeves said the storm’s quick acceleration from a tropical storm on Thursday to a Category 2 storm Saturday was unusual. In fact, he said, the notes he had prepared for the press conference described it as a Category 1. By the time he started speaking, that was already out of date.

Ida is a Category 2

Hurricane Ida’s maximum sustained wind speed as of early Saturday afternoon reached 100 miles per hour, making it a Category 2 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest update.

As of 1 p.m. Saturday, Ida was moving northwest across the Gulf of Mexico at a speed of 16 miles per hour. The storm’s track has changed little on Saturday, and it’s expected to make landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm.

Coastal Mississippi was under a hurricane watch until the NHC’s update at 10 a.m. Saturday, when that watch was removed.

Harrison, Jackson and Hancock counties are now under a tropical storm warning, meaning residents should expect winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour.

A storm surge warning is also in effect across the Mississippi Coast. From the mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs, storm surge of 7 to 11 feet is anticipated.

From Ocean Springs to the Alabama border, the NHC forecasts surge of 4 to 7 feet.

Beach is closed

Harrison County announced Saturday morning that county beaches are closed as Hurricane Ida and its dangerous storm surge approach. The county also announced shelter openings, which can be found below.

Ida getting stronger

Hurricane Ida is poised to get stronger, the National Hurricane Center said in its 10 a.m. update on Saturday, but the Mississippi Gulf Coast is no longer under a Hurricane Watch.

That means the NHC does not anticipate possible hurricane-force winds for the three coastal Mississippi counties. But the entire coast from the Mississippi-Louisiana state line to the Alabama-Florida border is still under a tropical storm warning, meaning the NHC expects tropical storm conditions within the next 36 hours.

A storm surge warning is also in effect across the Mississippi Coast.

Warm temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and low vertical wind shear will fuel the storm as as it churns northwest towards the coast of Louisiana, where it is expected to make landfall as a Category 4 storm.

The track forecast moved somewhat west over the last two days, and the NHC forecasts Ida will stay on its northwesterly path before turning north and northeast after landfall, bringing heavy rain and winds to large parts of south and central Mississippi.

“The track guidance remains in remarkably good agreement through 36 hours, and the new NHC track forecast is essentially unchanged during that time,” NHC forecasters wrote.

“Users are again reminded to not focus on the exact details of the track forecast as storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts will extend far from the center,” the update continued.

Gulf Coast meteorologist Rocco Calaci wrote on Saturday morning that the latest forecasts overnight brought “some good news.”

Ida weakened as it moved over Cuba and its wind field shrank somewhat. It is currently projected to be smaller than previous hurricanes like Katrina.

“If the forecast track holds, the most powerful winds will be confined to a 35 to 40 miles radius from the center of the eye, resulting in the Mississippi coastline exposed to tropical storm force winds, instead of hurricane force winds,” he wrote.

“This can still lead to extensive damages along the Mississippi coastline as winds will be 55 to 70 miles per hour, along with possible waterspouts, tornadoes, microbursts and mesocyclones.”

Calaci said one major model forecasts the worst effects of Ida stretching from Morgan City, Louisiana, to New Orleans. Another predicts the worst damage to hit from Grand Isle, Louisiana, to Bay St. Louis.

Caution lights on Highway 90

On Saturday morning, Harrison County Public Information Officer Kim Compton announced that all stoplights on U.S. 90 switched to caution mode. Any intersection with flashing lights should be treated as a four-way stop.

“Drivers in the area should consider alternate routes, and if traveling U.S. 90, use caution and allow extra time for travel,” the message said.

9 a.m. update: Where to go?

Where should you go to escape Ida’s path?

North, as far north as possible, said Mississippi Department of Transportation public information officer Katey Hornsby on Saturday morning.

“Higher up, closer to the Delta and north Mississippi is a safe bet,” she said. “Today is the day to do it. That storm is quickly approaching. If they’re still kind of on the fence, go ahead, make your decision. You don’t want to potentially get caught in a backup on the roadways last minute.”

Hattiesburg and Jackson are both in Ida’s path, according to the latest maps and forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, which predicts rainfall of up to 10 inches for the Coast, Jackson, and much of central Mississippi.

Louisianians, expected to suffer Ida’s worst wind and storm surge effects, have been urged to evacuate west, Hornsby said. That has led to heavy traffic in Louisiana especially on westbound interstates.

As of Saturday morning, though, Mississippi roads were clear.

“So far, so good, hopefully it stays that way,” Hornsby said. “We can’t reiterate enough. Today is the day to make a decision.”

Rapid strengthening expected

Hurricane Ida’s eye is becoming better defined as it churns northwest across the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said in early-morning updates on Saturday.

The eye of the storm is expected to make landfall in Louisiana late Sunday and then move inland over Louisiana or western Mississippi into Monday.

“Rapid strengthening is forecast during the next 24 to 36 hours and Ida is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it approaches the northern Gulf coast on Sunday,” the center wrote in its 7 a.m. update. “Weakening is expected after Ida makes landfall.”

Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties are all under a storm surge warning, hurricane watch, and tropical storm warning. A warning indicates forecasters expect conditions within the affected area, while a watch indicates they are possible.

Ida has strengthened rapidly because of warm water temperatures. Sea surface temperatures are well into the 80s across the Gulf.

“Not only is there warm surface water along the projected path of Ida, but there is deep warm water in that zone,” AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

Officials have urged everyone to complete storm preparations as early as possible because storm conditions are likely throughout Sunday.

Friday 10 p.m. update

Now in the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Ida is forecast to rapidly intensify to “an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane,” the National Hurricane Center said at 10 p.m. Friday.

The eye of the storm is expected to make landfall in Louisiana late Sunday or early Monday, but “storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts will extend far from the center.”

Mississippi’s three coastal counties 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.

It is too soon to say how strong winds will be on the Coast, but widespread power outages are likely along with some damage to trees and buildings.

Ida made landfall in Cuba at 6:20 p.m. Central Time Friday. Moving over land did not weaken it much, and the hurricane kept 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 at 10 p.m. Friday. “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.

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.

Evacuation orders

Hancock County

• Shoreline Park (east and west of Highway 90)
• Cedar Point
• South Beach Boulevard
• East and west side of Highway 603
• North Beach
• The south side of Clermont Harbor
• Lakeshore
• Ansley and Herron Bay
• Harbor Drive
• Chapman Road
• Jourdan River Drive

Find more info here.

Hurricane shelters

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

Jackson County

Open at 6 p.m. Saturday. Ocean Springs residents should call 228-875-406 before 3 p.m. Saturday for transportation .

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

Harrison County

Three shelters will open at 3 p.m. Saturday:

• County Farm Road (Pet accommodations), 15038 County Farm Road, Gulfport.
• Lobouy Road shelter, 9505 Lobouy Road, Pass Christian.
• Saucier Lizana Road shelter, 23771 Saucier Lizana Road, Saucier.

Three shelters will open at 6 p.m. Saturday:

• D’Iberville High School shelter, 15625 Lamey Bridge Road, Biloxi.

• West Harrison High School shelter, 10399 County Farm Road, Gulfport.
• Harrison Central High School (Pet accommodations), 15600 School Road, Gulfport.

Pets will not be allowed in the main shelter area, but will be nearby in a safe location. All pets must remain in a carrier/kennel. Owners are responsible for feeding, watering, and medicating pets during the sheltering period, and owners must provide food and any medications for pets.

Coast Transit Authority (CTA) will provide transportation to shelters 3-7 p.m. Saturday.

Please call CTA directly at 228-896-8080 to schedule transport. CTA will also provide transportation for accompanied pets to the Shelters with pet accommodations. When calling CTA to schedule transport, please confirm pet transport requirements.

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.

Admission is evaluated based on the following:

• 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 28, 2021 at 8:05 AM.