Ida among most powerful storms to hit state since 1850s, Edwards says
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Gov. John Bel Edwards gave Louisiana residents a dire outlook for what the next few days might have in storm as Hurricane Ida churned toward the Gulf Coast Saturday afternoon.
Hurricane Ida is forecast to make landfall sometime Sunday evening on the Southern Louisiana coast as a major hurricane but tropical storm-force winds will hit parts of the state as early as Sunday morning, Edwards said.
"This will be one of the strongest storms to hit Louisiana since at least the 1850s," Edwards said.
In terms of timing, speed and trajectory, Edwards offered this update after a briefing with meteorologists and emergency officials:
The leading edge of Hurricane Ida's eyewall is expected to make landfall near Terrebonne Parish at about 7 p.m. Sunday, with winds up to 140 mph hitting Southern Louisiana by 8 a.m. Sunday.
Rainfall totals through Tuesday are projected in the range of 8 inches to 16 inches, with some areas getting as much as 20 inches of rain.
The storm surge is expected to be most intense in St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche and Jefferson parishes, Edwards said, with an area between Morgan City and the mouth of the Mississippi River projected to see a surge that could exceed 10 feet.
A storm surge warning was in effect late Saturday afternoon for an area stretching from the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge to the Alabama/Florida border, and Edwards said he expected conditions to deteriorate quickly as morning approached.
"By the time you go to bed tonight, you need to be where you can ride this storm out," he said.
Community preparations for Hurricane Ida
- SANDBAGS:Here's where you can find sandbag locations across Acadiana for Hurricane Ida
- CURFEW:Curfew issued for Lafourche at 6 p.m. ahead of Hurricane Ida's expected landfall
- SHELTERS:Louisiana begins opening Hurricane Ida state shelters Saturday with more on the way
- EVACUATIONS:What we know about recommended, mandatory orders for Hurricane Ida in Louisiana
- ACADIANA:Prepare for Hurricane Ida: What to expect in Acadiana parish by parish