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Hurricane Ida currently off LA coast, wind expected to reach speeds of 150 mph

With winds expected to reach as high as 150 mph, Hurricane Ida is expected to leave 'tornado-like damage'

As Louisiana residents brave the oncoming Hurricane Ida, strong warnings have been issued to stay indoors. The storm reached Category 2 winds during early Saturday afternoon, at 100 mph. However, by Sunday, it began to strengthen rapidly, reaching 130 mph.

Hurricane Ida comes just days after the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane, ravaged New Orleans and the surrounding areas, leaving 1,800 dead in its wake. 

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As reported by KTBS, The National Weather Service has issued an extreme Extreme Wind Warning, with winds expected to reach as high as 150 mph, with warnings of the same expected to last until Sunday, 10.45 am. The national weather service stated that the communities of St Bernard Parish, St Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Lafourche Parish, Jefferson Parish and Plaquemines Parish would see destructive winds between 115 to 150 mph, which is expected to leave 'tornado-like damage'. Category 5 hurricanes usually see wind speeds of 157 mph or higher.

The National Weather Service New Orleans official Twitter page has advised residents to stay indoors, as the hurricane is off the LA coast. The advisory warning remains that all those within the trajectory of the storm should stay indoors at all costs, in rooms that ideally do not have windows, to protect them from any sort of injury.

"09:05 am: Hurricane #Ida is still off the LA coast. If you are not in shelter, shelter in place immediately. Go to an interior room or a small room with no windows. Stay put durning this time. #lawx #mswx" National Weather Service New Orleans tweeted.

"If you are sheltering in place, go to an interior room of your house. Prepare to hunker down for the next 24 hours. Conditions will be worsening throughout the day as #Ida makes landfall! DO NOT, we repeat, DO NOT, go outside during this time! Stay in place. #mswx #lawx" National Weather Service New Orleans added, as a precautionary warning. 

As reported by Slate, The National Hurricane Center has also warned that Hurricane Ida will create an 'extremely life-threatening' ocean surge of up to 15 feet, resulting in a high risk of extreme flooding.