Ida strengthens more as it sets sights on Louisiana coast

unfortunately, it’s not an update. We wanted to see. This storm is strengthening it now has sustained winds of 140 miles an hour. It is a stronger Category four hurricane and some other bad news. It is now expected to make landfall with sustained winds of 145 miles an hour. So the newest update just into the newsroom a couple minutes ago from the National Hurricane Center, has it making landfall as an even stronger storm. Now sustained winds again at 145 miles an hour as this storm makes landfall later on this afternoon. So we’re watching this storm continue to strengthen and organized. There’s the I already getting some rain bands moving on into our area. We’ve watched some of these bands move on through gusty winds up to 50 miles an hour and some rain as well, some very heavy rain. So Damon, I know you’ve been tracking this all morning. I tried to get to the station in one of those bands. It’s already getting rough out there. It’s seriously, it’s interesting because I just got a question from a viewer asking about the possibility Of this storm getting stronger and you know between uh I guess what has been an hour between the last couple of updates and we’re already up to 145mph winds. Uh so I also got a question from a viewer about the possibility of getting up to category five and what do you what do you think about that? Oh I uh huh. I would not be surprised. It’s tough but it’s over these very warm Gulf waters so I don’t want to stray from the National Hurricane Center’s Outlook and they say category Category four landfall. And really when when you look at it the difference, it’s not a lot whether it makes landfall as a category four or Category five, they are both major hurricanes. They are both catastrophic. And so again, I wouldn’t be surprised if it could take it up to a category five. But either way don’t pay attention to the category that’s what you need to take home. Do not pay attention to the category Category four and Category five are both classified as major hurricanes, they can cause widespread widespread destruction and damage. No matter how you look at this, this is a very very dangerous storm and it will make landfall as a large and well organized, very dangerous storm. We could see wind gusts up to 100 miles an hour for much of our area. Of course where that storm makes landfall sustained winds of 1 45 Damn Damon. This is really, it’s making me a little bit nervous. I mean of course we don’t we don’t ever like to see these storms but this is a very serious storms. So if you are at home watching this, you already need to be hunkered down. We both got a question earlier about when should you be hunkered down? Depending on if you’re in the north shore, the metro coastal areas, I had a dream and they’re running out of time right now. They need to be hunkered down right now right now right now is the right answer. Whether you are north or south of lake, you need to be ready for this uh this storm. You need to be in the place where you are going to be as this storm passes over our heads and you know the updates that come from the National Hurricane center coming, you know, pretty rapidly. Now, is this storm as the indications are, this thing continues to strengthen and uh take a look out here. The uh the next P. Three, the Hurricane hunters are headed back out to investigate this storm once again. So is it possible that it could get up to a category five status right now at the National Hurricane Center track does not Individual that, but it also didn’t indicate a little while ago that it was gonna land with 145mph winds. Uh So, you know, so if they get uh information from the hurricane hunters that suggests an even stronger storm, then we will get that as as soon as they send it out. Um But as you can see it’s it’s a category four storm 145 mile per hour winds. It is, you know, about 54 miles from the mouth of the Mississippi right now And it is moving towards us at 15 mph for most of the night. It’s been moving at that 16 mph. So it reduced its speed a little bit. Which is not great news at all because of the more time this thing spends over warm water. You know, the more opportunity it has to get even stronger than it is right now. But at some point, you know, it gets so strong that it starts to kind of tear itself apart and then as it gets closer and closer to land, the land kinda the interaction with land helps to tear it apart as well. The problem with the land here is that, you know, it’s it’s not like moving over cuba uh you know that mountainous area that that you know, it moves over in cuba. That that happened just a day or so ago. That’s not the case as you get closer to close closer and closer to the south shore just kind of moves into marshland and that doesn’t have a big impact on on you know, the strength or or the decrease in this thing and strength as it gets closer and closer to us. But it is it is an impressive looking, very powerful, very dangerous storm. The stuff that we’ve been getting from the hurricane center from the weather service suggest that this is a life threatening event that we’re about to experience as this thing gets closer to us and as it makes landfall here in southeast Louisiana. You heard lee mentioned the word catastrophic a moment ago and you know, that’s that’s that’s the type of that, that’s how they, that’s how the hurricane center describes the type of damage that’s possible in a category five storm makes landfall landfall, catastrophic, widespread catastrophic, life threatening damage. So, you know, if you’re not in the place that you’re going to be, you need to be there or get there right now and if you are not in a place that is sturdy, uh then you need to change locations. If you’re in a mobile home, you are in the wrong place to be, whether you are north of the lake or south of the lake or the Mississippi gulf coast. Uh Mobile home is not going to do it, especially if this thing spawns tornadoes, which is very likely uh to happen especially as this thing makes landfall. Lots of rainfall on the way as well. Uh the storm surge is going to be quite significant. Life threatening storm surge is going to be an issue for us down here on the south shore, especially the Mississippi gulf coast as well. The wave heights around this storm around you know, 38 to 40 ft just off the coast, 24 ft wave heights there and you know, the wave heights along close is going to get higher and higher as the storm gets closer and closer and the winds are gonna get stronger and stronger as it gets closer and closer to us as well. Now, when I showed you this yesterday, the landfall was a little bit further to the west. And so the more the most intense wind speeds didn’t cover as much of the south shore as they’re covering this morning because the track has moved a little bit further or inched a little bit further to the east. So what you should get from this is that all of us down here in the south, you are going to be experiencing some pretty intense winds for a pretty good amount of time. And you know, And so, you know, when damage down trees down power lines are a real possibility, especially with all the rainfall that we’ve been getting over the last 5-7 days, the ground is already saturated. So it’s not gonna take too much, especially if the tree roots aren’t very deep. It’s not gonna take too much to topple trees all across the south shore and the north shore and bring power lines down. So if you if you stayed here, if you’re still here, power, you know, in many areas is gonna be out, it’s gonna be out for a while because of those strong winds and all the rainfall. And of course, as the storm gets closer and closer to us, you know, the weather is going to continue to deteriorate here’s a look at the wind speeds out there right now and it’s pretty reasonable for the, for the most part, 22 mile per hour wind speeds at the bureau’s 21 over at the lakefront, only 14 over on the Mississippi gulf coast gusting up to 24 in gulf port right now. And so the storm surge warning is in effect for all of us down here on the south shore, the Mississippi gulf coast ST Tammany lower tangible whole parish as well. That water is gonna stretch well inland as the storm gets closer and closer and makes landfall at an earlier time than than we’ve been talking about for the last few days. And here’s the National Hurricane Center forecast track once again, showing those current 140 mile per hour winds. And look at this the last um when I was, you know, here with your last about 15, 20 minutes ago, the The pressure was 9 48. Now it’s down to 9 46. So another indication of intensification of this system and an up close look at this thing, making landfall with 100 and 45 mile per hour winds. And so this is this is a really bad scenario for all of us in southeast Louisiana. And you’ll also notice another changes that this thing was supposed to become a tropical storm as it made its way towards the north shore and now is expected to still be a hurricane as it makes its way from the from the North Shore on into Mississippi. Uh So randy chad, we are, we are in for a wild ride over the next, you know, 12 to 24 hours especially, but even into twos.
>> IT IS NOT AN UPDATE WE WANTED TO SEE. IT NOW HAS SUSTAINED WINDS OF ONE OR 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT IS A STRONGER CATEGORY FOR HURRICANES AND SOME OTHER BAD NEWS, EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OF 145 MILES PER HOUR. THE NEWEST UPDATE JUST INTO THE NEWSROOM FROM NATIONAL HURRICANE CEER HAS IT MAKING LANDFALL AS AN EVEN STRONGER START NOW. SO WERE A WATCHING THIS STORM CONTINUE TO STRENGTH AENND ORGANIZE. THERE IS THEYE, E ALREADY GETTING SOME RAIN BANDS MOVING ON INTO OUR AREA. GUSTY WINDS, UP TO 15 MILES — 50ILES M PER HOUR. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN TRACKING THIS ALL MORNING. I TRIED TO GET TO THE STATION, IT IS ALREADY GETTING ROUGH OUT THERE. >> IT IS INTERESTING, I JTUS GOT A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ASKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE STORM GETTING STRONGER AND BETWEEN WHAT HAS BEEN AN HOUR BETWEEN THE LAST COUPLEF O UPDATES, WE ARE ALREADY UP TO 145 MILE PER HOUR WIND. I ALSO GOT A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER AUTBO THE POSSIBILITYF O IT GETTING UP TO A CATEGORY FIVE. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT? >> I — I WOULD NOTE B SURPRISED. IT’S TOUGH, BUT IT IS OVER THESE VERY WARM GULF WATERS. I DON’T WANTOT STRAY FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER OUTLOOK IF THEY SAY CATEGORY FOUR LANDFALL. REALLY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, THE DIFFERENCE, IT IS NOT A LO T.WHETHER IT MAKES LANDFALL AS A CATEGORY FOUR OR A CATEGORY 5, THEY ARE BOTH CATASTROPHIC. AGAIN, I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF THEY COULD TAKE IT UP TO A CATEGORY 5, BUT EITRHE WAY, DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO THE CATEGORY. DO N POTAY ATTENTION TO ETH CATEGORY. CATEGORY 4 AND CATEGORY 5 ARE BOTH CLASSIFIED AS MAJOR HURR ICANES THAT CAN CAUSE WIDESPADRE DESTRUCTION INTO DAMAGE, NMATTO ER HOW YOU LOOK AT THIS. THIS IS A VERY, VERY DANGERSOU STORM AND IT WILL MAKE LANDFALL AS A LARGE AND WELL-ORGANIZED VERY DANGEROUS STORM. WE COULD SEE WIND GUSTSP U TO 100 MILES PER HOUR FOR MUCOFH THE AREA. SUSTAINED WDIN OF 5.14 THIS IS MAKING ME A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS. OF COURSE, WE DON’T EVER LIKE TO SEE THESE STORMS, BUT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS STORM. IF YOU ARET A HOME WATCHING THIS, YOU ALREADY NEED TO BE HUNKERED DOWN. WE BOTH GOT A QUESTION EARLIER ABOUT WHEN SHOULD YOU BE HUNKERED DOWN? THEY ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME RIGHT NOW. >> RIGHT NOW IS THE RIGHT ANSWER, WHETHER YOU ARE NORTH OR SOH UTOF THE LAKE. YOU NEED TO BE RDYEA FOR THIS STORM, YOU NEED TO BE IN THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO BE AT THE STORM PASSES OVER OUR HEADS. THE UPDATES THAT COME OMFR THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ARE COMING PRETTY RAPIDLY NOW AT THIS STORM, AS THE INDICATIONS ARE THIS DATE CONTINU TOES STRENGTHEN. TAKE A LOOK OUT HERE. HEADED BACK OUT TO INVESTIGATE THIS STORM ONCE AGAIN. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT HE COULD GET UP TO A CATEGORY 5 STATUS. THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TRACT DOES NOT INDICATE BAD, BUT IT ALSO DID NOTNDIC IATE THAT IT WAS GOING TO LAND WITH 145 MILES FOREVER WIND. SO IF THEY GET INFORMATION FROM THE HURRICANE HUNTERS THAT SUGGESTS A STRONGER STORM, WE WILL GET THAT AS SOON AS THEY SEND IT OUT. BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, IT IS A CATEGORY 4 STORM. 145 MILE PER HOUR WD.IN IT IS ABOUT 54 MILES FMRO THE MISSISSIPPI RIGHT NOW. IT IS MOVING TOWARDS US AT 15 MILES PER HOUR FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT. IT HAS BEEN MOVING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, SITO WILL REDUCE ITS SPEEDY LITETL BIT, WHICH IS NOT GREAT NEWS AT ALL BECAUSE T MORE TIME THIS THING SPENDS OVER WARM WATER, THE MORE OPPORTUNITY IT HAS TO GET EVEN STRONGER THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW. BUTT A SOME POINT, IT GETS SO STRONG THAT IT STARTS TO TEAR ITSELF APART. AS IT GETS CLOSER AND CLOSETOR LAND, THE INTERACTION WITH LAND HELPS TO TEAR IT APART AS WELL. THE PROBLEM WITH THE LAND HERE IS THAT IS NOT LIKE MOVING OVER CUBA. THAT MOUNTAIUS AREA THAT MOVES OVERN I CUBA, THAT HAPPENED JUST A DAY OR SO AGO, THAT’S NOT THE CA SE AS IT GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE SOUTH SHORE, JUST MOVES INTO MARSHLAND. THAT DOESN’T HAVE A BIG IMPACT ONHE T STRENGTH FOR THE DECREASE IN THIS THING I SNTRENGTH AS IT GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER TO US. BUT IT IS AN IMPRESSIVE-LOOKING, VERY POWERFUL, VERY DANGEROUS STORM. THE STUFF THAT WE HAVEEEN B GETTING FROM THE HURRICANE CENTER IN FROM THE WEATHER SERVICE SUGGESTS THAT THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING EVENT THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE AS THIS THING GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER TO US AND AS IT MAKES LANDFALL IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA. THAT IS HAVE A HURRICANE CENTER DESCRIBESHE T TYPE OF DAMAGE THAT IS POSSIBLE IN A CATEGORY STORM MAKING LANDFL. CATASTROPHIC, WIDESPREAD. CATASTROPHIC, LIFE-THREATENING DAMAGE. IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE PLACE YOU’RE GOING TO BE, YOU NEED TO GET THERE RIGHT W.NO IF YOU ARE NOT IN A PLACE THAT IS STURDY, THEN YOU NEETOD CHANGE LOCATIONS. IF YOU OR ANYOB MILE HOME, YOU ARE IN THE WRONG PCELA TO BE WHETHER YOU ARE NORTH OF THE LAKE OR SOUTH OF THE LAKE OR THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST. A MOBILE HOME IS NOT GOING TO DO IT. ESPECIALLY IF THIS THING SPAWNS TORNADOES, WHICH IS VERY LIKELY TO HAPPEN. LOTSF O RAINFALL ON THE WAY AS WELL. THE STORM SURGE IS GOING TO BE QUEIT SIGNIFICANT, LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGES I GOING TO BE AN ISSUE FORS U, ESPECIALLY THE MISSISSIPPI GFUL COAST AS WELL. THE WAVE HEIGHT AROUND THIS STORM AROUND 38-40 FEET. THE WAVE HEIGHTS ALONG THE COAST, IIST GOING TO GET HIGHER AND HIGHER. IN THE WINDSRE A GOING TO GET STRONGER AND STRONGER AS IT GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER TO US. WHEN I SHOWED YOU YESTERDAY, THE LANDFALL WAS FURTHER TO THE WEST. THE MOST INTENSE WIND SPEEDS DIDN’T COVEASR MUCH OF THE SOUTH SHORE AS THEY ARE COVERING THIS MORNING BECSEAU THE TRACK HAS MOVED A LITTLE BIT FURTHER TO THE EAST. WHAT YOU SHOULD GET FROM THIS IS THAT ALL OF THIS DOWN HERE IN THE SOHUT SHORE, ALL OF US ARE GOING TO BE EERXPIENCING PRETTY INTENSE WIND FOR A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. WIND DAMAGE, DOWNED TREES, DOWNED POWER LINES ARE A REAL POSSIBILITY. ESPECILYAL WITH ALL THE RAINFALL WE HAVE ENBE GETTING, THE GROUND IS ALREADY SATURATED. IT IS NOT GOING TO TAKE TOO MHUC TO TOPPLE TREES ALL ACROSS THE SOUTH SREHO AND THE NORTH SHORE AND BRING POWER LINES DN.OW IF YOU STADYE HERE, IF YOU ARE STILL HERE, POWER IN MANY AREAS IS GOING TO BE OUT FOR A WHILE BECAUSE OF THOSE STRONG WINDS AND ALL THE RAINFALL AND OF COURSE, AS THE STORM GETS CLOSER AND CLOSERO T US, THE WEATHER IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE. HERE IS A LOOK AT THE WIND SPEEDS, IT IS PRETTY REASONABLE FOR THE MOST PART. 22 MILES FOREVER WDIN SPEEDS, 21 OVER AT THE LAKEFRONT. GUSTING UP TO 24 IN THE GULFPORT RIGHT NOW. A STO SRMURGE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF US IN THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST. THAT WATER IS GOING TO STRETCH WELL INLAND AS THE STORM GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER AND MAKES LANDFALL AT AN EARLIER TIME THAN WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS. REHE IS THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FORECAST TRACK ONCE AGAIN SHOWING THOSE CURRENT 140 MILE-PER-HOUR WIND. WH IEN WAS HERE WITHOU Y LAST, THE PRESRESUAS W948, NOW IT IS DOWN TO 946. AND SO THIS IS A REALLY BAD SCENARIO FOR ALL OF US IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND YOU WILL ALUTHEAST LOUISIANA AND YOU WILL SO NOTICE ANOTHER CHANGE IS THAT THIS THING WAS SUPPOSED TO BECOME A TROPILCA STORM AS IT MADE ITS WAY TOWARD THE NORTH SHORE. NOW IT IS EXPECTED TO STILL BE A HURRICANE AS IT MAKES ITS WAY FROM THE NORTH SHORE INTO MISSISSIPPI. WE ARE IN FOR A WILD R

Ida strengthens more as it sets sights on Louisiana coast

Updated: 4:39 AM CDT Aug 29, 2021

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Hurricane Ida as of 4 a.m. has gained strength as it moves over the southern Gulf of Mexico Saturday. Ida is moving northwest at 15 mph and has maximum sustained winds at 140 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Oprime aquí para un informe en español sobre IdaThe storm is currently moving over the Gulf of Mexico, where it could continue to strengthen as it moves toward the Louisiana coast.RELATED: Tracking Ida: Maps, models and paths On the current forecast track, all of Southeast Louisiana is in the cone with an expected landfall in south Louisiana sometime Sunday afternoon.WATCH: Live coverage of Hurricane Ida here: A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to Pearl River, Mississippi. The Tropical Storm Warning has been extended eastward along the northern Gulf coast to the Alabama/Florida border.The Storm Surge Warning has been extended eastward to the Alabama/Florida border, including Mobile Bay. The Hurricane Watch along the coast of Mississippi from the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border has been discontinued. The Hurricane Watch along the coast of Louisiana west of Intracoastal City has also been discontinued.The Storm Surge Watch from Sabine Pass to Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana has been discontinued. There is the potential for a 10-foot to 15-foot storm surge from Morgan City, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A storm surge of 5-8 feet is possible in Lake Pontchartrain. A storm surge of 4-6 feet is possible in Lake Maurepas. There is the potential for heavy rainfall. The Weather Prediction Center gives Southeast Louisiana a rainfall total of 8-16 inches of rain possible through Monday. The WDSU Weather Team will be watching this system closely. Check back for updated forecasts throughout the weekend. More from WDSUCLICK HERE for the latest forecast and videocastGet Ready Now: What to include in a hurricane kitWhat to know about evacuation plans, contraflow in LouisianaHow to prepare your pets for hurricane seasonHere is a list of parish and county emergency contact informationResources for those with disabilities, functional needs ahead of tropical weatherFrom watch to warning, know your hurricane termsIt is important to know the difference between the severity of storms during Hurricane Season.Below is an explanation so you properly plan for an emergency in the event of a natural disaster.Tropical storms and hurricanes each have two descriptors: watch and a warning. A watch means tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible in the “watch area.” A watch is issued up to 48 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm-force winds.A warning is issued when a tropical storm or hurricane conditions are expected in the “warning area.” A warning is issued up to 36 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm-force winds.Hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force. watches and warnings are issued in advance of the onset of tropical-storm-force winds (39-73 mph).How we rate hurricanesThe Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained winds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Category 3 and above are considered major hurricanes, but precautions should still be taken for Category 1 and 2 storms. NOAA and Weather.gov put together the following information that explains how each storm category is defined and what type of damage is expected.Tropical DepressionA tropical depression is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds (one-minute average) of 38 mph or less.Tropical StormA tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph.Category 1: Sustained winds of 74-95 mphVery dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.Category 2: 96-110 mphExtremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.Category 3: 111-129 mph (Major Hurricane)Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.Category 4: 130-156 mph (Major Hurricane)Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.Category 5: 157 mph or higher (Major Hurricane)Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Hurricane Ida as of 4 a.m. has gained strength as it moves over the southern Gulf of Mexico Saturday.

Ida is moving northwest at 15 mph and has maximum sustained winds at 140 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Oprime aquí para un informe en español sobre Ida

The storm is currently moving over the Gulf of Mexico, where it could continue to strengthen as it moves toward the Louisiana coast.

RELATED: Tracking Ida: Maps, models and paths

On the current forecast track, all of Southeast Louisiana is in the cone with an expected landfall in south Louisiana sometime Sunday afternoon.

WATCH: Live coverage of Hurricane Ida here:

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for Intracoastal City, Louisiana, to Pearl River, Mississippi.

The Tropical Storm Warning has been extended eastward along the northern Gulf coast to the Alabama/Florida border.

The Storm Surge Warning has been extended eastward to the Alabama/Florida border, including Mobile Bay.

The Hurricane Watch along the coast of Mississippi from the Mouth of the Pearl River to the Mississippi/Alabama border has been discontinued.

The Hurricane Watch along the coast of Louisiana west of Intracoastal City has also been discontinued.

The Storm Surge Watch from Sabine Pass to Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana has been discontinued.

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There is the potential for a 10-foot to 15-foot storm surge from Morgan City, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. A storm surge of 5-8 feet is possible in Lake Pontchartrain.

A storm surge of 4-6 feet is possible in Lake Maurepas.

There is the potential for heavy rainfall. The Weather Prediction Center gives Southeast Louisiana a rainfall total of 8-16 inches of rain possible through Monday.

The WDSU Weather Team will be watching this system closely. Check back for updated forecasts throughout the weekend.

More from WDSU

From watch to warning, know your hurricane terms

It is important to know the difference between the severity of storms during Hurricane Season.

Below is an explanation so you properly plan for an emergency in the event of a natural disaster.

Tropical storms and hurricanes each have two descriptors: watch and a warning. A watch means tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible in the “watch area.” A watch is issued up to 48 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm-force winds.

A warning is issued when a tropical storm or hurricane conditions are expected in the “warning area.” A warning is issued up to 36 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm-force winds.

Hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force. watches and warnings are issued in advance of the onset of tropical-storm-force winds (39-73 mph).

How we rate hurricanes

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained winds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Category 3 and above are considered major hurricanes, but precautions should still be taken for Category 1 and 2 storms. NOAA and Weather.gov put together the following information that explains how each storm category is defined and what type of damage is expected.

Tropical Depression

A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds (one-minute average) of 38 mph or less.

Tropical Storm

A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph.

Category 1: Sustained winds of 74-95 mph

Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.

Category 2: 96-110 mph

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.

Category 3: 111-129 mph (Major Hurricane)

Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.

Category 4: 130-156 mph (Major Hurricane)

Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Category 5: 157 mph or higher (Major Hurricane)

Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.