The potential for heavy rains and strong winds across north and central Florida prompted Gov. Charlie Crist to issue a state of emergency today even though Ida has been downgraded to a tropical storm from a hurricane.
Ida’s winds have died down to about 70 mph from about 105 mph Sunday evening.But it’s a big storm with tropical storm strength winds extending about 200 miles from its center.
The storm is expected to make landfall in the next 24 to 48 hours. Ida is about 285 miles south-southeast of Pensacola. It’s expected to take a turn to the east after hitting land.
Some individual counties such as Escambia had declared a state of emergency Sunday and schools are closed there. Louisiana Gov. Jindal had declared a state of emergency Sunday as well.
Hurricane warnings have been lifted through the Gulf coast area, but tropical storm warnings stretching from Grand Isle, La., to Aucilla River, Fla., remain in place.
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