Property Is Secured As Ida Begins Rapid Intensification...

I've been out closing my shutters and moving any plants, hanging baskets and birdhouses inside my He-Shed.  My neighbor April captured the little fella up the ladder with great assistance from my wife.  My east and west facing windows are all covered now.

Note the highest up windows have shutters.  The newest track hasn't changed, which is good for the city as that would mean we miss the eyewall.  It doesn't mean we escape impacts, but the real destruction will happen in the eyewall.

As you can see, the center line still goes between Morgan City and Houma and then up towards Baton Rouge.   Baton Rouge will likely see higher winds than NOLA as they will get into the eyewall.  What has changed is the arrival time for tropical storm force winds.  That will happen along the coast after midnight and before daybreak up here in the city.  Tomorrow will be Stay at home Sunday.  

It's pretty clear from satellite views that we have an organizing/strengthening Hurricane that is predicted to be a Cat. 4 (120 mph) at landfall.  The only question now is will the centerline track shift slightly to the east (bad for New Orleans) or slightly farther to the west(better for metro N.O.)   A shift of only 20 miles will make a HUGH difference in impacts.   Those living from Grand Isle westward will be hammered regardless in any shifts in track.    

I captured these pictures from Zack Fradella's morning program which gives a close up view of potential storm surge heights.   Of note is I'm not including the Mississippi Coast since the surge there should be no worse than 3-5 feet.   Ida will be more a Louisiana storm.

Zack also showed what I mean by the EYEWALL.  It's that circular band around the center that stays just to the south and west of Metairie/Kenner, but not by much.  Any track shift to the east will bring the eyewall winds to metro NOLA.  Since the forward speed is so fast (16 mph), a shift to the east appears unlikely.  That's what I'll be watching for this afternoon.  You still have time to tidy up around your house.  In fact, if you don't mind heavy traffic, you can still evacuate.  My friend Becky left for Dallas this morning avoiding the interstate and going on less traveled highways with no problems.  Something to think about.   I'll post again after 5 PM.  Stay tuned!