DELCAMBRE, La. (AP) — Laura has strengthened into a menacing Category 4 hurricane.
The storm’s power is raising fears of a 20-foot storm surge that forecasters say would be “unsurvivable” and capable of sinking entire communities on the Texas and Louisiana coast.
Here are the Key Messages regarding extremely dangerous Hurricane Laura, issued on Wednesday at 4 p.m. CDT – www.hurricanes.gov
Posted by NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center on Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Authorities implored coastal residents to evacuate and worried that not enough had fled.
The storm grew nearly 87% in power in just 24 hours to reach Category 3 status, and it continued to draw energy from the warm Gulf of Mexico waters.
Laura was on track to arrive late Wednesday or early Thursday as the most powerful hurricane to strike the U.S. so far this year.
Laura could impact the Ozarks starting Thursday night into Friday.
8/26 3:30 PM update: Tracking Hurricane Laura. Heavy rain is expected near the center of the low track after it moves inland. #mowx #kswx pic.twitter.com/eL37SJCL3Z
— NWS Springfield (@NWSSpringfield) August 26, 2020
