Storm Ida is on its way, forecast to drop a foot of rain in some areas and bring with it a huge storm surge of 11 feet.
Tropical Storm Ida formed in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to grow stronger over the weekend.
Before the US faces Ida, it will pass through the Cayman Islands and Western Cuba with winds of 40mph then undergo a period of 'rapid intensification'.
This is due to the perfect conditions created in the Gulf of Mexico, a cocktail of warm summer temperatures combining with moist air will see the storm's wind power more than double.
Ida's transformation in the Gulf could upgrade the storm to 'major hurricane strength' as it continues to move northwards.
Where will Storm Ida hit?
Expected to make landfall on the Louisiana or Mississippi coast on Sunday, residents have been warned to make plans to evacuate should Ida get worse. With a forecast rise in water levels to between 7-11ft, many in New Orleans have already been asked to leave the area.
The storm falls on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastation with winds of 110 arriving on the coastline.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Thursday and went on to release a statement:
"Unfortunately, all of Louisiana's coastline is currently in the forecast cone for Tropical Storm Ida, now is the time for people to finalize their emergency game plan, which should take into account the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."
A hurricane watch has been issued from Cameron, Louisiana, eastward to the Mississippi/Alabama border, including New Orleans.
From Morgan City, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Ida's storm surge could reach up to 11ft so residents have been told to expect flooding.
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