Ida strengthened into a hurricane Friday afternoon as Gulf Coast states prepared for a direct hit from the storm, which the National Hurricane Center said could reach Category 4 strength with winds estimated at 140 miles per hour. Parts of Florida — the Panhandle in particular — could see increased weather if the storm shifts east. Ida is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the northern Gulf Coast on Sunday. The hurricane is forecast to make landfall Sunday afternoon or evening.