**Updated 10:53 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9**
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami has downgraded Ida to a tropical storm. Its top sustained winds dropped to near 70 mph this morning.
Ida, which is expected to make landfall early Tuesday morning, could hit Florida. This rare November storm continues crawling eastward across the Gulf of Mexico, and it has already done damage in other areas.
The makeshift homes in El Salvador were no match for Ida's fury. Heavy rainfall triggered mudslides, killing more than 100 people. Dozens are missing.
In Cancun, signs of Ida include rough waters and empty streets and bars. Some tourists are riding it out, prompting hotels to hunker down.
In Louisiana, storm preparations include storing fuel. The governor has declared a state of emergency, and put the National Guard on alert.
Along the Gulf Coast, residents continue to wait, and hope to escape a direct hit.
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