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Ida downgraded to a tropical storm (Live Video)
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(AP Photo/Weather Underground)
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana --- The first Atlantic hurricane to target the Gulf Coast this season weakened in the early morning hours but remains a threat to the region, as tropical storm Ida is set to make landfall early Tuesday morning.
The U.S. Hurricane Center downgraded Ida to a tropical storm Monday morning after its top sustained winds dropped to 70 mph from 90 mph early Monday morning.
Tropical storm warnings remained in effect from Pascagoula, Mississippi, and east to Indian Pass, Florida and across southeastern Louisiana, including New Orleans.
The center of Ida was located about 185 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and moving north-northwest near 17 mph.
The latest storm track projection from the National Hurricane Center showed Ida brushing near Louisiana and Mississippi, then making landfall near Alabama before continuing across north Florida.
Officials are warning residents in Mississippi and Florida to remain vigilant, as they continue to assess the conditions to see whether any evacuation of low-lying areas or school closures would be necessary.
Residents of Pensacola Beach, Fla., and nearby Perdido Key were encouraged to leave, as were people farther inland who live in mobile homes, and school was canceled in the area Monday and Tuesday. Some schools around New Orleans also canceled classes for Monday.
"FEMA stresses that those in temporary (housing) units should not take chances," Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Andrew Thomas said. "Leave the unit behind and evacuate to a permanent structure that will better withstand tropical weather systems and the associated winds."
Authorities are asking residents to remove tree limbs or any loose debris from around their homes and secure any trash cans, grills, potted plants and patio furniture as there is a potential 60 mph wind gust.
On Sunday heavy rain in Ida’s wake triggered flooding and landslides in El Salvador that killed 124 people.
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Photo info:This NOAA satellite image taken Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 at 12:00 a.m. EST shows cloud cover streaming northward into the Gulf of Mexico as tropical storm Ida weakens over Central America. A few clouds linger in the Northeast as low pressure moves to the Atlantic.
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