Ida reaches hurricane status: Forecasters warn storm could reach category 4 before making landfall

Tropical Storm Ida received an upgrade to Hurricane Ida on Friday before making its way through Cuba. The U.S, National Hurricane Center warns that the storm could rapidly intensify as it moves into the gulf.

According to the center, Ida could make landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm on Sunday. Forecasters fear extremely high wind speeds as it makes its way into the states.

Warren County emergency crews are keeping a close eye on the storm as the eye is tracking to pass over Vicksburg on Sunday evening.

Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer stated to the Vicksburg daily News on Friday that Ida could dump as much as 8 inches throughout the local area. Combined with damaging high winds which carry the risk of causing downed trees and powerlines, Elfer advised residents be prepared for power outages and flooding.

“Now is the time. Don’t wait until the middle of the storm to get your essential items,” Elfer urged. “Get your medicine, have some money on hand, prepare your generator and know how to operate the generator.”

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has already declared a state of emergency with calls to evacuate in anticipation of the storm. In a conference on Friday, he stated that by Saturday night, residents should be where they intend to ride out the storm.

CNBC states Ida could bring flooding from Ida’s storm surge as high as 10-15 feet around the mouth of the Mississippi River. According to their report, New Orleans residents have been ordered to evacuate communities which lie outside the city’s levee system.

Stay tuned to your local weather outlets and Vicksburg Daily News for updates.