When tracking the path and impact of a major storm, one of the most critical data points is the exact time and location of land interaction. For Hurricane Ida, which carved a devastating path of destruction from the Caribbean to the northeastern United States in late August 2021, this specific timing is essential for understanding the storm's intensity at the point of contact and the subsequent risks. The question "what time did Ida make landfall" has a specific, documented answer that varies depending on the specific location, as the massive system made two separate landfalls on the same day.
Ida's Initial Caribbean Landfall
Before impacting the United States, Hurricane Ida tracked across the Caribbean Sea, reorganizing after an initial landfall on the island of Hispaniola. On August 26, 2021, the system moved over the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The precise moment it moved over land was recorded, marking the first official land interaction for the storm during that specific meteorological day. This initial crossing was a precursor to its much more powerful encounter with the Gulf Coast.
Landfall in Louisiana: The Main Event
The primary and most destructive landfall occurred in Louisiana. On the morning of August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana. According to the National Hurricane Center's official report, the exact time of this landfall was 16:55 UTC. Converting this to local time, which is Central Daylight Time (UTC-5), the impact occurred at 11:55 AM CDT. This specific timestamp places the storm's arrival during the late morning hours, just hours before the peak of the afternoon heat and thunderstorm development.
Intensity at Louisiana Landfall
At the moment of this 11:55 AM landfall, Hurricane Ida was classified as a Category 4 storm. It possessed maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h), making it one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall in the state of Louisiana. The combination of the late morning timing and the storm's immense power contributed to a catastrophic storm surge that inundated coastal communities and overwhelmed infrastructure in the hours that followed.
Landfall in Mississippi: The Continuation
After traversing Louisiana, the weakened but still dangerous system continued its northward journey. Ida did not stop at the Louisiana border; it maintained its structure and continued to produce hurricane-force winds. Later on August 29, the storm made a second landfall, this time near Port Gibson, Mississippi. The official time recorded for this second land interaction was 23:45 UTC. Adjusting for Central Daylight Time, this occurred at 6:45 PM CDT, extending the period of hurricane conditions well into the evening.
Timeline Summary and Impact
The progression of Ida on August 29, 2021, highlights the extended period of threat a major hurricane can present. The day was marked by two distinct landfall events separated by several hours. The first encounter at 11:55 AM CDT in Louisiana unleashed the full fury of the storm. The second encounter at 6:45 PM CDT in Mississippi represented the trailing edge of the system, yet still caused significant damage from wind and flooding rain. Understanding these specific times is crucial for analyzing the storm's track, intensity changes, and the window of exposure for the affected regions.
