Louisiana is in the projected cone of Tropical Storm Ida, which is expected to strengthen into Hurricane Ida before making landfall in south Louisiana near the close of the weekend. As a potential Category 4 hurricane, which can bring wind speeds in excess of 130 mph, the impending storm could create hazardous conditions for those in its path — namely, life-threatening storm surge, wind damage and intense rainfall. 

Hurricane season in Louisiana runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends preparing in advance for a storm, which includes assembling an emergency survival kit, gathering essential documents, stocking food and supplies, monitoring the latest developments and, most important, having an evacuation plan in place. 

Tropical Storm Ida’s projected landfall in Louisiana coincides with the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane and exposed fatal flaws in New Orleans’ levee system; several levees breached in the wake of the storm, leaving much of the city flooded.