MIAMI (AP) _ Forecasters have issued a hurricane warning for the Gulf Coast from Mississippi to Florida as Hurricane Ida approaches with winds around 105 miles per hour.
A warning means hurricane conditions are expected within the day. The National Hurricane Center on Sunday night issued it for Pascagoula, Miss., east to Indian Pass, Fla.
Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches are in effect along much of the coastline. That included New Orleans.
As of 10 p.m. EST, the Category 2 storm was about 400 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Forecasters say the first Atlantic hurricane to target the U.S. is expected to weaken as it approaches land likely early on Tuesday.
Rainfall totals are expected to be from 3 to 5 inches, with some areas getting up to 8 inches.