By Staff
Staff Reports
With Ida headed into the northern gulf, the central Gulf Coast is under a hurricane watch as of Sunday, Escambia County Emergency Management Director David Adams said. The coastline of Alabama and northwest Florida are included in the watch.
On Sunday afternoon, Hurricane IDA was located near the Yucatan Peninsula entering the southern Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds of 100 mph and movement to the north-northwest at 10 mph.
"Current models show the track to come near shore or just onshore around Escambia or Santa Rosa Counties then turn to the east," Adams said in an e-mail. "Current models show the possibility of tropical storm force winds in our area from Monday night into Tuesday night."
Rainfall of 3 to 5 inches is possible with the storm, along with a chance of isolated tornadoes in the outer bands of Ida.
Adams advised residents to make precautions now.
"This storm is very difficult to forecast due to many variables that currently are affecting it," Adams said. "Stay tuned to your local TV and radio stations and your NOAA Weather Radio for updates on changing conditions."