Ida downgraded to a Tropical Depression

GULF COAST - Tropical Storm Warnings have now been dropped, but other inland watches and warnings may pop up througout the day.

Data from NOAA Doppler radar and surface observations indicate that the center of Tropical Storm Ida made its first landfall around 5:40 am CST on Dauphin Island Alabama...with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

At 9:00 a.m. CST the center of Tropical Storm Ida was located near latitude 30.6 north...longitude 87.6 west or about 30 miles ESE of Mobile Alabama.
Ida is moving toward the northeast near 9 mph. This general motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected today. On the forecast track...the center of Ida should reach the Mainland Alabama coast later this morning. After landfall...Ida is expected to turn eastward.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph...With higher gusts. Some additional weakening is expected...and Ida is expected to lose tropical characteristics later today.

Ida is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 6 inches...with isolated maximum storm totals of 8 inches...through Wednesday evening from the central and eastern Gulf Coast across the southeastern United States into the southern mid-Atlantic states.

A dangerous storm tide will raise water levels by as much as 3 to 5 feet above ground level along the coast near and to the east of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast...the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
 

  Effects

High seas/coastal flooding: Ida has been producing some very large waves. Those waves will start reaching our coastal areas tonight. Also we can expect coastal flooding in low-lying areas as the storm approaches.

Gusty wind: Since were looking at a hurricane now the winds, especially along the coast, will be significant. You'll need to go outside today and pick up loose items and secure your property. The strom shouldn't be strong enough for widepsread power outages, but there will certainly be some sporatic outages.

Rain: As Ida makes landfall it will be getting absorbed into a cold front. So you have a hurricane and a cold front together, that will mean plenty of rain. Likely upwards of 4 inches. The good news is that the storm will be moving at a good pace so that should keep widespread flooding from occuring, but locally heavy rains still could cause some low-lying areas to flood.

Bottom line: Be prepared for something very unusual... a tropical system in November. We need to prepare just like we would for any tropical system, especially if you live along the coast. Of course, the forecast is subject to change and that's what we're here for. Stay tuned to Fox10 and fox10tv.com for all the latest details on Ida.

Latest information:

Location: 30.6°N 87.6°W
Max sustained: 35 mph
Moving: NE at 9 mph
Min pressure: 1000 mb