UPDATED 5:55 A.M. SATURDAY: Ida winds at 80 mph; more intensification expected
From the National Weather Service in Lake Charles:
Hurricane Ida Local Statement Advisory Number 8
National Weather Service Lake Charles LA AL092021
445 AM CDT Sat Aug 28 2021
This product covers Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas
**IDA CONTINUES MOVING NORTHWESTWARD ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF
MEXICO**
NEW INFORMATION
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* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Allen, Beauregard,
Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Rapides, and Vernon
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for
Iberia, Lower St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion
- A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for West Cameron
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Acadia, Avoyelles,
Evangeline, Lafayette, St. Landry, and Upper St. Martin
- A Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Watch, and Hurricane
Watch are in effect for East Cameron
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 540 miles southeast of Morgan City LA or about
640 miles southeast of Cameron LA
- 24.0N 85.2W
- Storm Intensity 80 mph
- Movement Northwest or 315 degrees at 16 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Ida continues to track northwestward over the southeastern
Gulf of Mexico. The center of Hurricane Ida was located near latitude
24.0 North, longitude 84.2 West. Ida is moving toward the northwest
near 16 mph and this general motion should continue until Ida reaches
the northern Gulf Coast on Sunday. A slower northward motion is then
forecast after Ida moves inland. On the forecast track, the center of
Ida will move over the southeastern and central Gulf of Mexico during
over the weekend, with a landfall along the central Louisiana coast
by late Sunday.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Protect against life-threatening wind having possible devastating
impacts across South-Central Louisiana and portions of East-Central
Louisiana in vicinity of the Atchafalaya River Basin. 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, protect against life-threatening wind having possible limited
to extensive impacts across Southwest and West-Central Louisiana.
* SURGE:
Protect against life-threatening surge having possible extensive
impacts from Pecan Island eastward around Vermilion and Atchafalaya
Bays. 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, protect against life-threatening surge having possible
significant impacts from the Cameron/Vermilion Parish line to Pecan
Island.
Also, protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across Cameron Parish.
Elsewhere across Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, little to
no impact is anticipated.
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
devastating impacts across South-Central Louisiana and portions of
East-Central Louisiana in vicinity of the Atchafalaya River Basin.
Potential impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and
rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks
in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks,
canals, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control
systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape
routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water
with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very
dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened
or washed out.
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
limited to extensive impacts across Southwest Louisiana and the rest
of East-Central Louisiana.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across South-Central and 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.
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.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible.
Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges
will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather
forecast before departing and drive with caution.
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an
emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and
hurricanes! Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge
zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find
yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed
evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don`t drown!
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, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of
strong winds or flooding.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* 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
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Lake Charles LA around 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant. 25 MPH...POST-TROP/REMNT LOW