It is 8:30 p.m. here in Orange Beach, and the winds are howling.  Wind gusts are blowing an estimated 45-50 mph across the city, making driving fairly hazardous. Thankfully, very few people are out driving right now.

My photographer and I just got through driving down to Gulf Shores and back. There were a few areas where water was standing… mainly in those places where water stands every time it rains.  We did not see any roads closed nor did we see any wind damage.

From what I am seeing on the latest radar imagery, the center of circulation of Ida has fallen apart within the past few hours… and is moving to the north faster than earlier today.  Therfore, what’s left of the eye of the storm should make landfall within the next few hours.

Most of the rain with this system is north of the center of circulation, which means most of the rain tonight will be in Alabama… most of Alabama… in fact, the rain could come to an end in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach by sunrise.

I will be live from Orange Beach Tuesday morning beginning at 5 a.m. on FOX6 and www.FoxAlabamaLive.com… so if any damage occurs tonight around here, I will let you know then.

Have a safe — and dry, night.

Dennis Washington

Filed under: Birmingham, Regions, Tropical, Weather