Cat 5 Ivan heads north, NOLA area on watch

[RedEarth]

An extremely dangerous Category 5 Hurricane Ivan continues to move west-northwestward Monday afternoon, and southeastern Louisiana emergency officials are warning people of the increasing likelihood of a strike in our region. Residents in the lower parts of Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Jefferson parishes are being urged to evacuate voluntarily, and preparations for possible tropical storm conditions are in progress across the region. Mandatory evacuation orders could come as early as Monday evening.

Public and parochial schools have been closed for Tuesday in Plaquemines Parish. Other parishes are expected to make announcements late Monday evening.

Ivan is expected to cross into the Gulf of Mexico between Cuba and the Yucutan Peninsula early this evening, on a track that still keeps the eastern half of Louisiana in the danger cone. The official forecast shows a sharp curve northeast Wednesday and landfall in the Biloxi area, however, the entire north central Gulf Coast, from mid-Louisiana to the Florida panhandle are under watch. Even on the current official track, forecasters say, lower Plaquemines Parish could see storm surges of 8-10 feet.

Across the metro area, stores report residents stocking up on hurricane supplies - batteries and water especially were out of stock in many retailers.

Ivan has continued to move west-northwestward for days after it was forecast to turn north. Forecasters still expect it to make a northward turn over the next 48 hours and make landfall somewhere in the general vicinity of Biloxi/Mobile. The hurricane so far has plagued forecasters, however, and the danger watch area includes the entire New Orleans metro area and the eastern half of the state.

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/weather/

[Florida_Geek]

1. 195 MPH.....

Ivan intensified overnight, with maximum sustained winds at 160 mph and gusts up to 195 mph

[shanti]

2. that is an AMAZING photo

thanks for posting it!