Ida takes aim at Louisiana coast; major storm possible

Although the last few weeks have brought some torrential rains and a few scares, the Teche Area has been spared a direct visit from a tropical storm so far this hurricane season.

But the current modeling for Tropical Storm Ida — projected to come ashore by Monday as Hurricane Ida — is making it hard to remain confident.

As of 10 p.m. Thursday evening, the National Weather Service was showing the storm still way out in the Caribbean, moving northwest at about 12 mph. On that track, the center of Ida brushed the Cayman Islands, and should pass western Cuba on its way to the central Gulf of Mexico by Saturday.

That would bring the storm to the northern Gulf coast on Sunday after fueling up on the seriously warm waters of the Gulf along the way.

A hurricane watch is already in effect for basically the entire Louisiana coast, from Cameron in the west to the Mississippi/Alabama line in the east. Cameron to the Mississippi/Alabama border. And, although it is showing 40 mph winds now, Ida is forecast to become a hurricane over those warm Gulf waters Saturday or Sunday. And it could be a major hurricane by the time it reaches the coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The state of Louisiana is already under an emergency declaration, with other local leaders following suit. Iberia Parish announced its emergency declaration shortly after Gov. John Bel Edwards’ press conference announcing the statewide declaration.

Across the region, sandbag sites are being opened up. In St. Martin Parish, the sites will open today. Iberia Parish opened its self-serve sandbag sites Wednesday, with the city of New Iberia following suit Thursday.

Stay up to date with Ida’s progress at iberianet.com and on The Daily Iberian’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Here is where you can find sand and sandbags to prepare for potential Hurricane Ida this weekend. Shovels are not provided at the sandbag sites. Residents should be prepared to fill their own sandbags.

IBERIA PARISH

• B.O.M. Fire Station

• Grand Marais Fire Station

• Coteau Fire Station

• Delcambre Water Tower

• Loreauville City Park

• Lydia Fire Station

• Jeanerette Fire Department

• Rynella Fire Department

ST. MARTIN PARISH

• Ruth Barn located at 1035 Ruth Bridge Hwy.

• Paul Angelle Park located at 2458 Cecilia Sr. High School Rd.

• South Barn located at 1011 Capritto 40 Arpent Rd.

• Clayton Boudreaux Memorial Park located at 1028 Catahoula Hwy.

• Lower St. Martin Parish at the Stephensville Park and at Belle River across the road from the Fire Station.