08/27/2021
Heads up like never before!!
MY THOUGHTS ON IDA - The core of Ida is really starting to come together, the storm is beginning to rapidly strengthen on its approach to Cuba.
Am I worried? I am, somebody in Louisiana is going to take a direct hit from an intensifying major hurricane. Intensifying storms generate more ferocious wind gusts...the wind energy is that much greater from strengthening storms at landfall. The surge coming for Louisiana's coast will be life-threatening if you stay in a surge zone. Listen to your officials, EVACUATE if told to do so.
Focusing on the center of track does no good, a shift 10-20 miles 12 hours before landfall makes HUGE differences in impacts for certain areas. Everyone from Lafayette to the MS/AL border need to be prepared for their "WORST" case scenario that this storm's core impacts you. Not all of those areas will experience it in the end but you don't split hairs when talking about a major hurricane.
Don't be shocked if Ida becomes a Category 4, there is nothing to stop this thing as it crosses the Gulf. We hope it doesn't come to that but I've seen this situation before, last year in fact.
Today and Saturday you need to be preparing, evacuate coastal areas in surge zones, inland residents be ready for a long duration power outage. Ask yourself do I want to go through this if that core comes over my house? If not, you may want to think about leaving even if you aren't technically under evacuation.
Do NOT compare to other storms, they are all different. Ida will be different than all of those. It will be the storm some of you never forget, for others it will be a miss. Hope you are in that miss category.