Hurricane Ida expected to bring 'extremely life-threatening inundation' to the Gulf Coast, forecast warns

• Ida will bring "life-threatening inundation" of 9 feet or higher to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said.
• Ida is expected to make landfall on Sunday evening, the NHC said.
• Louisiana is in particular danger of facing extreme weather conditions from the hurricane.

Hurricane Ida will bring strong wind gusts and dangerous inundation risks to the Gulf Coast, federal forecasters said on Saturday.

"Extremely life-threatening inundation of 9 feet or greater above ground level is possible somewhere within the area from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the coast of Mississippi, the National Hurricane Center said.

Ida is barreling toward the Gulf Coast with maximum sustained winds at 85 mph.

The hurricane is expected to make landfall Sunday evening. Tropical storm-force winds will hit earlier, weather forecasters predict. Louisiana is in particular danger of facing extreme weather conditions from the hurricane.

"Ida is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the coast of Louisiana," the NHC update says.

Louisiana has put in a place a hurricane warning for its coastal region, which includes New Orleans, the city pummeled by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. More than 1,800 people died when Katrina hit. Residents who live along or near the levee system in New Orleans - where officials predict high surges and dangerous winds - have been instructed to evacuate the area.

"Actions to protect life and property should be rushed to completion today," the NHC warned on Saturday.

Mississippi has hurricane watches in effect, covering Hancock and Harrison counties and the city of Jackson.

Between Sunday and Monday, there will be heavy rainfall from Louisiana to Mississippi, "resulting in life-threatening flash and urban flooding and significant river flooding impacts," the NHC says.