Hurricane Ida could strengthen to Category 4 before hitting US

Hurricane Ida is predicted to strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane before hitting the U.S. as residents in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida brace for the storm’s impact. 

The Weather Channel reported Saturday that Ida is expected to reach a Category 4 strength hurricane when it hits the Gulf Coast on Sunday. The weather source stated that schools in Louisiana have shut down and hospitals are at capacity due to the coronavirus. 

If you’re just waking up, here’s a quick #Ida recap:

1. Ida is forecast to landfall as a dangerous category 4 hurricane
2. LA hospitals are at capacity due to COVID
3. Schools in at least 10 parishes are closed Monday
4. 96 out of 99 drainage pumps in New Orleans are ready pic.twitter.com/szPcMm6cyB

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 28, 2021

Ida upgraded from a tropical storm to a hurricane on Friday before hitting Cuba and is now a Category 2 storm as it makes its way toward the U.S. 

Flooding of nine feet or greater could occur when the hurricane reaches land, with winds currently reaching 105 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

Hurricane #Ida is now a Category 2 and will continue to quickly intensify today and tomorrow before landfall in Louisiana.

The latest: https://t.co/7hl4t6j56e pic.twitter.com/o79AQXbWru

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 28, 2021

Multiple Louisiana officials have told residents to evacuate, and Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) told the state it has until nightfall to brace for impact. 

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell warned that the hurricane was rapidly approaching with force. 

“Time is not on our side. It’s just rapidly growing. It’s intensifying,” Cantrell said, according to The Associated Press. 

“If you’re voluntarily evacuating our city, now is the time to leave — you need to do so immediately. If you’re planning to ride it out, again, make sure that you’re able to hunker down,” Cantrell added.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) has issued a state of emergency for the coastal counties ahead of the storm. 

Ida comes on the weekend of the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a Category 3 hurricane that devastated the Gulf Coast, including New Orleans, and killed 1,800 people.

“Above all, I’m urging the people of the area to pay attention and be prepared,” President Biden said Saturday.  “Have supplies for your household on hand, follow the guidance of local authorities.”

“If you have to move to shelter, make sure you wear a mask and try to keep some distance, because we’re still facing the highly contagious delta variant as well,” Biden said.

Updated 5:38 p.m.