New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says everyone should consider getting out of the city ahead of Hurricane Ida.
"If you have any medical needs or wish to voluntarily evacuate on your own, now is the time to start that," Cantrell announced.
She ordered evacuation of Irish Bayou, Lake Katherine and Venetian Isles.
"At this time I am calling for mandatory evacuation of all areas outside of our levee protection system," the mayor said Friday.
New Orleans Homeland Security Director Colin Arnold is concerned about flooding and power.
"Dangerous winds and rain pose a serious threat inside the levee system," he announced. "We are anticipating significant impacts,"
Arnold says heavy rain could cause street flooding and there is potential for "prolonged power outages" too.
He says the evacuation inside the levees could be made mandatory if the forecast changes and it become necessary.