Live updates: Ida now a Cat 2, and MS Coast is facing threats from storm surge, tornadoes

Find the latest updates from Monday here.

NHC 10 p.m. update

Almost eight hours after its second Louisiana landfall, Hurricane Ida is finally beginning to weaken but still poses threats from storm surge, tornadoes, strong winds and flash flooding.

Ida’s maximum sustained winds were near 105 mph with higher gusts, the National Hurricane Center said. Ida has gone from a major hurricane to a Category 2 storm. The NHC says Ida is expected to remain a hurricane for only a few more hours as it rapidly weakens .

Beyond the inner core, rain bands remain well established, especially on the system’s east side,” the NHC forecast discussion says.

Ida is expected to produce heavy rainfall through Monday across southeast Louisiana, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and southwestern Alabama, the discussion says, “resulting in considerable to life-threatening flash and urban flooding and significant riverine flooding impacts.”

Hurricane winds extend out 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm winds out to 140 miles. The storm is 30 miles east-southeast of Baton Rouge and 40 miles west-northwest of New Orleans.

The New Orleans International Airport recently reported a sustained wind of 64 mph, the NHC says.

Storm-surge warnings remain in effect along the Gulf Coast from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the Alabama-Florida border. A tropical-storm warning is still in force for the Mississippi and Alabama coastlines. Morgan City to the mouth of the Pearl River are still under a hurricane warning.

NHC 7 p.m. update

Although Hurricane Ida was downgraded to a Category 3 in the National Hurricane Center’s 7 p.m. storm update, but southwest Mississippi could see conditions deteriorate around midnight until morning as winds pick up and cause “widespread damage.”

The Mississippi and Alabama coastlines remain under storm-surge and tropical storm warnings. A tropical storm warning has been upgraded to a hurricane warning for Amite, Pike, Walthall and Wilkinson in southwest Mississippi.

A National Weather Service tornado warning for west central Hancock and southwestern Pearl River counties was set to expire at 7:30 p.m. But a NWS spokesman said around 7 p.m. during a Facebook Live broadcast, “You’re going to be under the gun for tornadoes most of the night, especially in Hancock County and on the southwest Mississippi Coast.”

The NWS said the western side of the Mississippi Coast also could expect damaging winds, widespread power outages and downed trees as night fell Sunday into Monday morning.

While the Mississippi Coast is under a tropical storm warning, winds could gust up to hurricane strength, which starts at 75 mph. The NHC says winds are going to pick up Sunday night, with 70, 80, and even 90 mph wind gusts.

“That’s going to cause widespread damage,” the spokesman said.

The NWS said an area of rotation with winds of up to 100 mph was barreling toward southwestern Hancock County. Residents in Ansley and Pearlington should be prepared and take cover.

“The slow movement of the storm is now increasing our rain threat,” the NWS said on Facebook. Pearl River, Louisiana, and Hancock County could be part of the area to see the most rain from Ida. It’s possible some areas could see up to 30 inches of precipitation.

At the 7 p.m. update, Ida was about 25 miles west-southwest of New Orleans with sustained winds of 120 mph, which is still a major Category 3 hurricane..

NHC 6 p.m. update

Hurricane Ida was passing near Mathews, Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans near Houma, with extreme winds, storm surge and flooding, the National Hurricane Center reported.

An observation station at South Lafourche airport had recently reported sustained winds of 79 mph, with gusts up to 103 mph.

At the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, sustained winds of 66 mph, with an 84-mph gust, was recorded, the NHC update said.

Another reading near the Pontchartrain Causeway recorded a sustained wind of 64 mph and a gust of 81 mph as Ida makes its way upland.

NHC 4 p.m. update

After two Louisiana landfalls Sunday — one in Port Fourchon and the second in Galliano —the National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Ida is beginning to weaken but is still a “catastrophic” Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of around 132 mph.

Sustained winds were 145 miles per hour at landfall, failing to reach the feared Category 5 status of 157 mph.

“As Ida’s circulation moves farther inland this evening and overnight a faster rate of weakening is expected, and Ida is forecast to become a tropical depression over Mississippi by late Monday,” the 4 p.m. Sunday NHC forecast discussion says. “Although weakening is forecast, damaging winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland over southeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi through Monday morning.”

Ida was about 45 miles southwest of New Orleans when the late-afternoon NHC advisory was issued.

Dangerous storm surge will continue to threaten the Gulf Coast from Burns Point, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

As Ida moves inland, “catastrophic” wind damage can be expected near the core, including in the New Orleans area, with hurricane-force and destructive wind gusts continuing through tonight.

The winds will spread inland as Ida tracks into southwestern Mississippi tonight and early Monday.

“These winds will likely lead to widespread tree damage and power outages,” the NHC’s latest public advisory says.

Flash-flooding from heavy rainfall remains a threat through Monday across southeast Louisiana, the Mississippi Coast and southwestern Alabama.

Central Harrison County is under a flash-flood warning from the National Weather Service until 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Areas that will experience flash flooding include Gulfport, Biloxi, Long Beach, Lyman and the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.

A tornado warning is in effect until 5:45 p.m. for northwestern Harrison County, with a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado spotted near the Lyman community.

NWC warns worst to come

The National Weather Service had a stark message Sunday afternoon for Louisiana and Coastal Mississippi: “You have not even seen the impacts yet from this storm.”

Severe weather was reported north of Kiln in Harrison County.

The area Hurricane Ida is crossing in southern Louisiana is mostly water and marsh, said meteorologist Christopher Bannan, and the storm hasn’t met solid land and weakened much since landfall.

“Do not let your guard down because it’s not that bad right now,” he cautioned. The worst will be the evening hours and overnight, he said.

Waveland has seen storm surge of 6 to 7 feet already, he said, and with high tide coming tonight, “10-11 feet is not out of the questions here in Waveland and Hancock County,” he said.

People don’t realize how quickly storm surge can rise, he said. “Do not play around with surge,” he said. “Do not go out there and sightsee. You are putting your life at risk.”

Currently, 287 people are in shelters in the three Coast counties.

In Hancock County, 103 people are in shelters, with another 155 residents in shelters in Harrison County along with 4 horses and 2 dogs at the County Farm shelter there and 29 residents are in the Jackson County shelter.

The only report of a rescue as of 6 p.m. Sunday occurred in in the St. Andrews community in Jackson County, when a man in a car got stuck in the water on Beach Street and had to be rescued.

Others cars stalled in high waters earlier Sunday.

Emergency managers and law enforcement officials expect to see more problems after high tide and the rivers start cresting.

NHC 2 p.m. update

The eye of Hurricane Ida made a second landfall southwest of Galliano, Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center reports at 2 p.m., and hurricane conditions are spreading inland across southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi.

The storm is moving at 12 mph, and Ida’s forward speed is likely to slow further during the next 12 to 24 hours as the hurricane turns north-northwestward, and then northward. Pressure now is 934 mb, up from 930 mb at landfall.

Sustained winds are at 145 mph.

Within the last hour, a wind gauge near Golden Meadow, Louisiana, reported a wind gust of 70 mph and the peak gust at New Orleans Lakefront Airport in the last hour was 76 mph.

Power outages are already being reported in South Mississippi,

Many stores and businesses in South Mississippi are closed Sunday. Garbage collection is suspended for Monday and will move ahead a day until Tuesday.

Schools are canceled or moved to online for Monday.

A special marine warning was issued until 3 p.m. that includes Chandeleur Sound and Mississippi Sound

NHC 1 p.m. update

Hurricane Ida is still moving northwest at 13 mph with maximum winds of 150 mph.

Near where the storm made landfall, South Lafourche Airport recorded a gust of 102 mph and sustained winds of 70 mph.

At Lakefront Airport in New Orleans a maximum gust of 63 mph has been recorded with sustained winds of 47 mph.

The tide gauge at Shell Beach, Louisiana, reported a water level of 6.8 feet above mean higher high water level.

Rain headed to the Coast

The rainfall potential for South Mississippi is even greater than forecast on Saturday, said Kevin Gilmore, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in New Orleans.

Hancock and Pearl counties are expected to be in the area that could see well over a foot of rain, he said, and that area now extends into parts of Harrison County.

Heavy rain will remain a risk, especially tonight and into tomorrow, he said.

Gilmore said area of Louisiana are already seeing power outages and those will continue.

If people see downed power lines, he said, “You can report it but don’t get anywhere near it.”

He also warned people to stay inside as the effects of Ida are felt. “Don’t go out and sightsee,” he said.

Hurricane Ida makes landfall

The National Hurricane Center said the eye of Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, at 11:55 a.m. as a strong Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds and a pressure of 930mb at landfall.

The storm is moving north at 13 mph and “a slightly slower northwestward motion should continue through this evening.”

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.

Rapid weakening is expected after landfall, the NHC said.

“Ida is then forecast to move well inland over portions of Louisiana and western Mississippi Monday and Monday night, and move across the Tennessee Valley on Tuesday.”

11:30 a.m. update

Preparations for possible power and communication disruptions are under way as Hurricane Ida’s tropical storm force winds begin to be felt in South Mississippi.

Mississippi Power opened its Storm Center on Sunday and has secured more than 1,000 outside personnel, including linemen, crews to clear downed trees and damage assessors. Crews will work during the day Sunday to restore any outages until tropical storm-force winds force them to stop work until the storm passes.

Text messages were one of the few ways to get communications in or out during Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago.

CSpire activated a small cell site to enhance coverage and capacity at the Mississippi Highway Patrol offices north of Biloxi, where officials stage employees and materials.

AT&T reports it is testing high-capacity back-up batteries at cell sites and has installed more generators at cell towers and switching facilities s

The Salvation Army reports it is prepared to provide food, drinks, shelter and other emergency services to survivors and rescue workers during Hurricane Ida.

Hancock County curfew issued

The Hancock County has issued a curfew beginning Sunday at 6 p.m. and ending Monday at 6 a.m.

Avoid driving on the roads before then as the storm rolls in, but after 6 p.m. only emergency travel will be allowed.

For further information, contact the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency at 228-255-0942.

10 a.m. update

With landfall just a few hours away, the National Hurricane Center’s 10 a.m. report damaging winds, especially in gusts, will spread inland near the track of the center of Ida into southwestern Mississippi today and early Monday. These winds will likely lead to widespread tree damage and power outages

River flooding forecast

River watches go into effect in Harrison County on Monday and flooding is expected to be 5 feet or more above flood state:

• Tchoutacabouffa River is expected to crest Tuesday morning, 5 feet above flood stage.
• Biloxi River is forecast to crest Tuesday afternoon, 5.5 feet above flood stage.
• Wolf River is expected to crest Wednesday morning 7 feet above flood state

8:45 a.m. update

The first rain bands are moving across South Mississippi, bringing thunderstorms and downpours in Jackson County, with bouts of heavy rain followed by drizzle in Biloxi.

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a Tornado Warning for northeastern Jackson County until 9:15 a.m. A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Big Point at 8:10 a.m., moving northwest at 55 mph.

The National Weather Service in New Orleans said people should have a way to get tornado warnings and future extreme wind warnings as the storm moves closer. Tropical storm force wind gusts are being felt at Gulfport and Biloxi.

Flooding is reported in multiple areas of Hancock County and U.S. 90 is closed near Myrtle Street.

7 a.m. update

Hurricane Ida powered up to a strong Category 4 storm overnight and on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, South Mississippi watches and waits for landfall Sunday afternoon.

Ida has winds of 150 mph and the pressure has fallen further. Winds could reach up to 155 mph, nearly a Category 5, in Louisiana.

The storm is moving slightly faster than expected at about 15 mph.

In South Mississippi, a Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, Tornado Warning and Flash Flood Watch are in effect.

The impacts expected in South Mississippi are rain, wind and storm surge.

After 7 a.m., water levels at the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club measured at 6.1 feet.

The 7 a.m. report from the National Hurricane Center says:

Storm surge — Extremely life-threatening storm surge inundation of 9 feet or greater above ground level is imminent within the area from Burns Point, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Rain — Ida will produce heavy rainfall Sunday through Monday from southeastern Louisiana, coastal Mississippi, to far southwestern Alabama resulting in considerable to life- threatening flash and urban flooding and significant river flooding impacts.

Wind — Catastrophic wind damage is likely where the core of Ida moves onshore along the southeast coast of Louisiana in the next few hours. Damaging winds, especially in gusts, will spread inland near the track of the center of Ida across southeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi today through early Monday.

Power outages — These winds likely will lead to widespread tree damage and power outages

Curfew and flooding on Coast

At the 5 a.m. report, Harrison County Emergency Management Agency said South Mississippi could get up to 16 inches of rain, winds gusting to 50 mph or more and possible short lived tornadoes.

Parts of U.S. 90 in Biloxi are already flooded and police have blocked the road at Miramar. Parts of Jones Park are flooded.

A curfew goes into effect at 8 a.m. in Harrison County and continues until the storm passes. Everyone should limit travel to emergency reasons only until conditions are safe and the curfew is lifted, the county said in a press release.

Flashing lights on Highway 90 should be treated as a four-way stop.

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

• Vancleave shelter is located at 5500 Ball Park Road

Harrison County

• 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.

• 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.

Hancock County

• Kiln shelter, 18320 Highway 43, Kiln.

George County

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

“These shelters are for any county resident who feels they need a safe place to ride out this severe weather,” said George County EMA Director John Glass.

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.

The Sun Herald will continue to provide updates throughout the day.

This story was originally published August 29, 2021 at 8:01 AM.