Ida could go stronger as it heads for Gulf of Mexico

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Ida could grow into a Category 2 storm later today on its path into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Category 1 storm is expected to slip between Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba before charging toward the southern U.S.

Cancun's beaches have emptied out and tour operators and fishermen along Mexico's Caribbean coast have pulled their boats out of the water ahead of the storm, which is already pelting Cancun with rain.

Hurricane and tropical-storm warnings have been issued for parts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Officials say dozens of storm shelters are being readied as Ida draws closer.

Forecasters predict Ida will weaken over the Gulf of Mexico to tropical storm strength and possibly brush the U.S. Gulf Coast next week. Forecasters say people there should be prepared for lots of wind and heavy rain.

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Catherine Shoichet (SHOY'-keht)

AP correspondent Catherine Shoichet reports the weather is worsening in Cancun as Hurricane Ida nears. ((watch for dating))

<<CUT …340 (11/07/09)>> 00:07 "of the storm"

Catherine Shoichet (SHOY'-keht)

AP correspondent Catherine Shoichet reports she's seen no sign of any exodus by tourists.

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Catherine Shoichet (SHOY'-keht)

AP correspondent Catherine Shoichet reports there doesn't seem much concern among tourists about Hurricane Ida.

<<APPHOTO NY107 (11/08/09)>>

: This image provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Ida taken at 12:02 a.m. EST Sunday Nov. 11, 2009. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ida's winds had picked up to 75 mph (120 kph), making it a Category 1 storm. Ida plowed into Nicaragua's Atlantic coast on Thursday as a Category 1 hurricane, damaging 500 homes along with bridges, power lines, roads and public buildings. The hurricane was on a path that would take it through the middle of the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico and Cuba on Sunday. Forecasters predict Ida will enter the Gulf of Mexico, eventually weaken again to tropical storm strength and possibly brush the U.S. Gulf Coast next week.

<<APPHOTO MXGB101 (11/07/09)>>

: Fishermen haul in their boat in the fishing village of Puerto Juarez, Mexico, on the outskirts of Cancun, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. Officials readied storm shelters along Mexico's Caribbean coast Saturday and told fishermen and tour operators to pull in their boats amid warnings that Tropical Storm Ida could become a hurricane as it neared the resort city of Cancun.