Ida, moving over the extremely warm waters of the Gulf, saw its top winds grow by 45 mph in five hours. The phenomenon, known as "rapid intensification," is typically defined to be a tropical cyclone intensifying by at least 35 mph in a 24-hour period, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach. That can happen when a storm encounters an extremely conducive environment such as very warm water, low vertical wind shear and high levels of mid-level moisture.
Ida intensified so swiftly that New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said there was no time to organize a mandatory evacuation. She urged the city's 390,000 residents to leave voluntarily and warned those who stayed to prepare for long power outages.
The winds were whipping in the city Sunday as the outer edge of Hurricane Ida approached. At the time, more than 15,000 were already without power in Orleans Parish, according to Entergy energy company. Entergy said 16,000 crew members were ready to assess damages and restore power as conditions allow.
"Conditions will be extremely hazardous," the city Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness tweeted. "Power lines may fall and debris could become projectiles. Get inside and stay inside."
Residents were heeding the warnings. Aside from the gusting wind, the scene was eerily quiet on the city’s empty streets. During lesser storms, cars park atop curbs or pack onto grassy medians that divide many of the roads. But ahead of Ida, few cars could be seen, a sign that many local had fled ahead of the storm.
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