Hurricane Ida - Late Season Threat to Gulf Coast

Hurricane Ida has taken us all by surprise this late in the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The relatively quiet hurricane season officially ends November 30, however Hurricane Ida is taking one last stand.

Hurricane Ida is currently a Category 2 storm, however Gulf Coast residents between Alabama and the Florida Panhandle are bracing for the storm to downgrade to a Tropical Storm before making landfall mid-morning Tuesday, November 10.

Forecasters predict the greatest threat to affected areas will be areas of heavy rainfall, possible tornadoes and a heavy storm surge due to abnormal high tides.

If you are a Gulf Coast resident, take these steps to prepare your boat to weather a tropical storm:

• Marine Weather Advisories, Watches, and Warnings

• Tropical Storms

• Hurricane Boat Preparation

• Hurricane Preparation Kit

• Hurricane Preparation Plan - Trailered Boats

• Hurricane Preparation Plan - Moored Boats

• Hurricane Preparation Plan - Anchored Boats