Ida Weakens To A Depression, Heads East To Fla.

MELISSA NELSON

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Ida sloshed ashore with rain and gusty winds Tuesday before weakening to a depression, leaving weather-hardened Gulf Coast residents largely unscathed and bringing more rain to the already-soaked Southeast.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ida's center first touched land on Dauphin Island, Ala., before heading across Mobile Bay toward the Alabama mainland and on to Florida.

Top sustained winds dropped to near 35 mph (55 mph) as Ida weakened and moved northeast at about 9 mph (15 kph). It was expected to turn east before being absorbed by a front Wednesday.

Pensacola Beach was windy and gray but mostly rain-free throughout Tuesday morning and early afternoon as residents ventured out after a night of howling storm gusts and drenching rains. Beachgoers collected seashells, driftwood and other treasures churned up by the rough surf.

Erin Strong of Memphis, Tenn., who rents a beach front home with her family each November, said she was unnerved by Ida's power.

"The waves came up to the front of our house," she said. "I couldn't believe the electricity stayed on the entire time."