MEMA urges residents to keep a close eye on Hurricane Ida

By Special to The Democrat | The Natchez Democrat

Published Sunday, November 8, 2009

PEARL — The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency urges Mississippians to stay aware of the forecasted track of Hurricane Ida and any possible flooding or storm surge that may occur.

The National Hurricane Center has put the Mississippi Gulf Coast under a Hurricane Watch, meaning hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours. Ida is a Category 2 hurricane with winds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The storm is predicted to cross the Gulf of Mexico tonight and early Monday, possibly making landfall early Tuesday.

“Tropical systems that develop late in the season tend to be unpredictable,” said MEMA Director Mike Womack. “This storm has changed projected track and intensity frequently over the past few days. The citizens in South and Central Mississippi should continue to monitor the weather over the next 24 hours to determine exactly how this storm will impact the state.”

Residents who live in low-lying areas should pay particular attention to forecasts and local emergency management directors, as Ida is expected to cause flooding.

MEMA will continue to release updated information about Tropical Depression Ida as they develop.

For more information on tropical weather preparedness, visit MEMA's Web site at www.msema.org.