Updated info: Ida weakens to a tropical depression, heads east

Updated Information: 

MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Ida has weakened to a tropical
depression and is heading east toward the Florida Panhandle with
winds near 35 mph (55 kph).
    Ida was a tropical storm with winds near 45 mph (75 kph) when it
came ashore near Mobile Bay in southern Alabama on Tuesday morning.
    The tropical depression is moving northeast about 9 mph (15 kph)
and is expected to continue in that direction until being absorbed
by a front on Wednesday.
    Forecasters say most of the heavy rain is over and tropical
storm warnings have been discontinued.
    The storm had shut down nearly a third of oil and natural gas
production in Gulf as oil companies evacuated workers ahead of Ida.
But demand for energy is so low due to the economic downturn,
energy prices have barely budged.

Ida may have formed late in the season, but wasted no time making herself known.

The wind battering trees, sending sheets of rain into the streets and surf pounding along the coastline, as the worst of it moved ashore overnight.

The rare November storm leaving little doubt that it was still hurricane season.

“Well we can never be too sure. We’re very surprised by it. We sure didn’t think we’d get anything this late,“ said one resident.

Late into the night, people watched the storm move in.

Crystal Trott, a Florida Resident said, Trying to watch all the big waves �We were at the dock earlier.“

Some watched for the spectacle, while others to make sure their storm preps would hold.

Florida Resident Louis Porto said, “The only thing I’m worried about is the water. The wind I don’t think is going to be too bad.“

Throughout the day, business and boat owners tied down their investments, while officials tried to make sure everyone was ready for what Ida could bring. The question now? How much damage did she leave behind?