Hurricane Ida Update -- Sunday, August 29, 2021 5AM

There have been considerable changes with Hurricane Ida this morning. This is a very dangerous storm and will bring life-threatening and catastrophic impacts. These impacts are now beginning.

CLICK HERE to view the latest update.

Changes from the last update:

• Ida is now a category 4 hurricane with winds of 145 mph. (The attached briefing shows 140 mph but an update was sent at 0500.)
• Storm surge values have been adjusted upward from Port Fourchon to Bay St. Louis.
• Forecast rainfall amounts have increased and could be in excess of 24" in isolated areas, depending on where bands are set up.

Overview:

• Hurricane Ida is approaching the southeast Louisiana coast, with landfall expected this afternoon.
• Tropical storm-force conditions in outer bands are already occurring along the coast and are pushing inland.

Impacts:

Winds

• Major hurricane-force winds (>110mph) will be possible for portions of our area, including Metro New Orleans, Metro Baton Rouge, and all coastal Louisiana parishes
• Hurricane-force winds (>74mph) will be possible for our entire area and are likely across southeast Louisiana.
• Elsewhere, tropical storm-force winds (>39mph) are likely.

Storm Surge

• Significant and life-threatening storm surge is expected with peak inundation levels possibly reaching the following heights. With the shifts in the track eastward over the last few advisories, the higher ends of these values could easily be realized. This is especially the case in the tidal lakes and along and east of where Ida makes landfall.
• 8-12ft: Morgan City to Port Fourchon
  12-16ft: Port Fourchon to the Mouth of the Mississippi River
  8-12ft: Mouth of the Mississippi River to Bay St. Louis
  6-9ft: Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs
  4-7ft: Ocean Springs to the Mississippi/Alabama border
  5-8ft: Lake Pontchartrain
  4-6ft: Lake Maurepas

Rainfall/Inland Flooding

• A large area of 10-18" is expected with a swath of 15-20" near the center of the track including in the metro Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas.
• Localized amounts in excess of 24" are possible
• The heaviest rainfall is expected today and Monday.

Tornadoes

• There is a threat of weak/short lived tornadoes across our entire forecast area.

The attached briefing highlights the threats associated with this system.

Additional Information and Resources:

NWS New Orleans Website: www.weather.gov/neworleans

NWS New Orleans DSS Website: http://www.weather.gov/lix/embrief

NWS New Orleans Tropical Page: https://www.weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=lix

River Gauges and Forecasts: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lix

NWS New Orleans Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSNewOrleans

NWS New Orleans Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSNewOrleans

Online Severe Weather Reporting: https://www.weather.gov/lix/submit_storm_report

National Hurricane Center Website: https:///www.nhc.noaa.gov

Next Update and Contact Information:

The next update will be following the 10 AM CDT NHC update, earlier if there are any significant changes.