Major Category 4 Hurricane Laura continues to move closer to Southwestern Louisiana and extreme Southeastern Texas tonight. A Hurricane Warning remains in effect from San Luis Pass, TX to Intracoastal City, LA. A Storm Surge Warning extends from Freeport, TX to the mouth of the Mississippi River. Widespread catastrophic damage is expected to occur overnight in the Lake Charles area. Due to the impending threat, both NWS Lake Charles and NBC affiliate KPLC-TV were evacuated.
As of the 10PM CT (11PM ET) NHC update, Laura had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Landfall is expected to occur around 1AM CT (2AM ET). Laura will likely be one of the strongest hurricanes to strike the continental United States in recorded history. If maximum sustained winds stay at 150 mph, it would be tied for fifth on that list.
10PM CT Advisory & Official Forecast Track:
In terms of the storm surge threat, values could reach higher than 20 feet above ground in some spots. This may be an unsurvivable situation. According the National Hurricane Center, surge could penetrate up to 40 miles inland from the immediate coastline.
NHC Storm Surge Expectations:
Extreme wind gusts will lead to catastrophic wind damage in some spots. Even mobile homes that are well inland will likely be damaged or destroyed by these.
Peak Wind Gust Expectations:
A heightened concern for flash flooding and tornadoes exists hundreds of miles inland too.
Live coverage will be simulcast on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube throughout the night. For the latest track and radar, go to cloudsweather.com/tropics.