A research plane known as the “Hurricane Hunter” passed through the eye of Ida shortly before 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, according to NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies.
There were no surprises on the flight, but it did confirm that the storm continues to strengthen ahead of landfall on Sunday.
The NOAA has two Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircrafts that use a blend of scientific instruments and radar systems to get a better read on storms.
“To obtain the best possible data within the storm environment, crewmembers deploy expendable probes called GPS dropwindsondes through a launch tube in the aircraft,” the NOAA explains. “As they parachute to the sea below, the probes transmit pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction data back to the aircraft.”
Hurricane IDA is expected to strengthen to a category 4 hurricane in the next 10-16 hours. It was roughly 300 miles southeast of the coast of Louisiana around 7:30 p.m. ET.
Pets in animal shelters around Louisiana are finding new homes as humane societies take in hundreds of animals that are in the path of Hurricane Ida.
The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took in 150 cats and dogs on Saturday who were in harm’s way.
President Biden was briefed by FEMA Saturday on emergency preparations for Hurricane Ida, which is expected to become a category 4 hurricane by the time it makes landfall in Louisiana Sunday.
The President urged Americans in harm’s way to prepare for the storm and said FEMA has “deployed emergency response personnel and pre-positioned food, water, generators, and supplies.”