UPDATED 1 P.M.: Ida becomes hurricane; forecast track shows landfall near St. Mary
At 1 p.m., the National Hurricane Center said Ida has become a hurricane, which means its maximum sustained winds have exceeded 74 mph.
Tropical Storm Ida Local Statement Advisory Number 5
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL092021
1021 AM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021
This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas
***IDA CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN***
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Acadia, Avoyelles,
Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lower St. Martin, St.
Landry, and Upper St. Martin
- A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Allen, Beauregard,
Calcasieu, Rapides, and Vernon
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Acadia, Avoyelles,
Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, and Upper
St. Martin
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Allen, Beauregard,
Calcasieu, Rapides, and Vernon
- A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for West Cameron
- A Storm Surge Watch and Hurricane Watch are in effect for East
Cameron, Iberia, Lower St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 940 miles southeast of Cameron LA or about 840 miles
southeast of Morgan City LA
- 20.7N 82.1W
- Storm Intensity 65 mph
- Movement Northwest or 320 degrees at 15 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Tropical Storm Ida was located by weather radar on Grand Cayman near
latitude 20.7 North, longitude 82.1 West. Ida is moving toward the
northwest near 15 mph and this general motion should continue over the
next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Ida will move away
from the Cayman Islands this morning, pass near or over the Isle of
Youth and western Cuba later today, and over the southeastern and
central Gulf of Mexico tonight and Saturday. The system is forecast to
approach the U.S. northern Gulf coast on Sunday.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Prepare for life-threatening wind having possible devastating impacts
across South Central and East Central Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage
greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Many bridges and access routes
impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.
Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible limited to
extensive impacts across South West Louisiana.
* SURGE:
Prepare for life-threatening surge having possible extensive impacts
across South-Central Louisiana. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Large areas of deep inundation with storm surge flooding
accentuated by battering waves. Structural damage to buildings,
with several washing away. Damage compounded by floating
debris. Locations may be uninhabitable for an extended period.
- Large sections of escape routes and secondary roads washed out
or severely flooded. Flood control systems and barriers may
become stressed.
- Severe beach erosion with significant dune loss.
- Major damage to marinas, docks, and piers. Many small craft
broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages
with some lifted onshore and stranded.
Also, prepare for life-threatening surge having possible significant
impacts across South-Central Louisiana.
Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Prepare for life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts across South Central Louisiana. Potential
impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may
become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may
become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to
significant impacts across Southwest Louisiana.
* TORNADOES:
Prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across East
Central Louisiana. Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
pulled from moorings.
Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended
preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to
evacuate, do so immediately.
For those not under evacuation orders, assess
the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If
you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do
not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation
orders.
If evacuating, leave with a destination in mind
and allow extra time to get there. Take your emergency supplies kit.
Gas up your vehicle ahead of time.
WATCH/WARNING PHASE - Let others know where you are going prior to
departure. Secure loose items and pets in the car, and avoid
distracted driving.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies
kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your
home or business.
If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large
trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or
on a boat, plan to move to safe shelter.
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with orders that
are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives of
others.
When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded
as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of
strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness
activities to become unsafe.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
-----------
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Lake Charles LA around 430 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.
Hurricane Watch
Ida Local Watch/Warning Statement/Advisory Number 5
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL092021
1004 AM CDT Fri Aug 27 2021
...HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT...
...STORM SURGE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT...
* LOCATIONS AFFECTED
- Morgan City
- Patterson
- Franklin