Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore revealed he’s headed to New Orleans to cover Hurricane Ida as it churns toward the Gulf Coast.
In a comment on a picture posted to the NOLANews Instagram account Friday, Cantore confirmed his travel plans.
“See you soon NOLA,” Cantore commented Friday afternoon. “I promise you I wish it was for fun and food and not the damn [hurricane]!”
The picture Cantore left his remarks on showed a message board above the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway that read, “Jim Cantore, stay home!” The post had more than 3,500 likes by Friday evening.
Louisiana’s love-hate relationship with television personality Cantore dates back to 1992 when he covered Hurricane Andrew in Baton Rouge.
“It’s been tough this year because of COVID. I can’t wrap my arms around somebody and take a picture and goof off, and sometimes obviously the weather doesn’t warrant that either, but it’s been tough at the Coast,” the meteorologist told the Pensacola News Journal last September while covering his 104th storm, Hurricane Sally. “We have to keep our distance and people are so sweet.”
Hurricane Ida swirled over Cuba Friday as a Category 1 storm. But when Ida makes landfall in Louisiana Sunday, it’s expected to reach Category 4 strength. The cyclone could slam the region with winds up to 140 mph.
Louisiana ordered mandatory and voluntary evacuations Friday ahead of the storm’s arrival. Gov. John Bel Edwards asked the federal government to issue an emergency declaration.
“Unfortunately, Louisiana is forecast to get a direct, strong hit,” Gov. Edwards said. “The time for the people of Louisiana to prepare for this strong storm is now … The next 24 hours are incredibly critical for the state, and a statewide federal emergency declaration will go a long way in helping us respond to Ida.”
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