The National Hurricane Center said earlier Saturday that Ida was expected to rapidly intensify as it moved across the Gulf.
was upgraded Saturday afternoon to a Category 2 as it continues its path across the Gulf of Mexico toward coastal Louisiana."We once again stress that if you are under evacuation order or can leave, PLEASE LEAVE. DEVASTATING conditions WILL happen," the agency tweeted.
Ida is about 435 miles southeast of Houma, which is located roughly 57 miles from New Orleans. The storm is tracking northwest at about 16 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. But as forecasters said Ida was intensifying, Cantrell urged those who have not already evacuated to get ready to hunker down.
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