Parts of Gulf Coast ordered to evacuate. Hurricane Ida expected to be Category 4 storm when it hits

Ida became a hurricane Friday afternoon as it swept toward western Cuba — and it’s expected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it approaches the US Gulf Coast this weekend, putting states from Louisiana to Florida on alert for fierce destruction.

Ida became a hurricane Friday afternoon as it swept toward western Cuba — and it’s expected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it approaches the US Gulf Coast this weekend, putting states from Louisiana to Florida on alert for fierce destruction.