Downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday morning, Ida is expected to come ashore within the next 24 hours.

Despite the downgrade, officials are warning resident of the Gulf Coast not to take the storm lightly. Ida is expected to dump up to eight inches of rain in some parts of the affected area. The hurricane center also warned of "large and destructive waves" caused by the storm.

"A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 6 feet above ground level along the coast near and to the east of where the center makes landfall," the center said.

A state of emergency was declared this weekend in Louisiana and residents living in mobile homes, coastal, low-lying or flood-prone areas in Alabama’s Baldwin Country were urged to evacuate.

Ida is the Atlantic region's ninth named storm. The Atlantic hurricane season ends November 30.

Do this!

Would you be ready if disaster struck? Learn how to create a disaster plan and disaster kit, and share your knowledge with your friends!