NEW ORLEANS - Data from an Air Force Reserve aircraft indicated that Ida had strengthened into a hurricane Friday afternoon as it approached the Isle of Youth, Cuba.
Ida could be a major Category 3 hurricane by the time it finally reaches the U.S. coast, prompting a hurricane watch for New Orleans as the area prepares to mark the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall.Ida strengthened into a 75 mph storm on Friday afternoon as it nears the western side of Cuba later in the day, according to the U.S.
National Hurricane Center. Hurricane warnings were issued for the Isle of Youth and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio and Artemisa.The mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, said officials and Louisiana's Governor John Bel Edwards.