A storm system is gathering intensity and. according to the US National Hurricane Center:
- is forecast to approach the northern Gulf coast at or near major hurricane intensity on Sunday
- there is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall Sunday and Monday, especially along the coast of Louisiana
- Storm Surge and Hurricane watches will likely be issued for a portion of this area later tonight or Friday morning.
The NHC has upgraded Tropical Depression Nine to Tropical Storm Ida.
