St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell has ordered a parish-wide mandatory evacuation ahead of Hurricane Ida.
"This order will go into effect Saturday, August 28 at 6 a.m., and residents must leave the parish no later than Saturday at 5 p.m.," the parish announced.
Ida is forecast to make landfall on the Louisiana coast with maximum winds of 130-156 miles per hour, a Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane is likely to make landfall in the area of Terrebonne or St. Mary Parish, but changes in the forecast track are possible.
"For residents in need, assisted evacuations will begin Saturday and should only be used as a last resort," parish officials said, "Anyone needing to use assisted evacuation should call the Emergency Operations Center at 985-783-5050 by 10 p.m. tonight, Friday, August 27."