IDA NOW A HIGH-END, CATEGORY 4 MAJOR HURRICANE; 150 MPH WINDS NEAR CENTER… Unfortunately, the worst of the predictions have come true this morning with Hurricane Ida explosively deepening overnight. Maximum winds have climbed to 150 mph near the center of the storm, meaning catastrophic impacts are ahead for parts of Eastern Louisiana. Landfall is expected within then next 6-8 hours near Grand Isle, Louisiana. According to Senior National Hurricane Center Scientist Eric Blake, “be ready for one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall in Louisiana. This is a very sobering morning.” Since rapid intensification was very well forecast, our expected local impacts in south Alabama and northwest Florida have NOT changed this morning, other than we are expecting a bit more in the way of storm surge near the Alabama coast. The tornado risk is increasing locally, and a Tornado Watch is now in effect for several local counties until 7PM tonight.
Details are being constantly posted in the RedZone Weather app. I will have a detailed look at the latest situation in a video posted a bit later this morning UNLESS tornado warning coverage is needed before that.
Stay safe!
