Get Out of the Way❗❗ Hurricane Laura is "Unsurvivable"🌀Category 4 Hurricane Headed to Louisiana & Texas
Laura is a Category 4 hurricane with an "unsurvivable storm surge" expected in some areas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"Unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves will cause catastrophic damage from Sea Rim State Park, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana, including Calcasieu and Sabine Lakes," the NHC said in a statement. "This surge could penetrate up to 30 miles inland from the immediate coastline. Only a few hours remain to protect life and property and all actions should be rushed to completion."
Here's how the news is developing today. All times Eastern. Please refresh this page for updates.
3:24 p.m.: Louisiana's Cameron Parish expected to be underwater
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is urging residents in the southwestern part of the state to pay especially close attention to the storm as it approaches landfall in Cameron Parish early Thursday morning.
The governor said the hurricane could bring storm surges that residents haven't seen since 1957.
The state has activated its entire National Guard, something it hasn't done in "many years," according to the governor.
"This is a very serious storm -- I don't think I have ever held a press conference to take something as seriously as I am right now," Bel Edwards told reporters. "Our state hasn't seen a storm surge like this in many decades. Same with wind speeds."
Forecasters say residents should expect to see storm surge of up to 18-20 feet. The majority of Cameron Parish will be totally underwater at some point, according to the NHC.
The state said it has reserved 2,000 hotel rooms for residents in need. On Tuesday night it put up some 800 people in hotel rooms.
2:26 p.m.: Major airlines issue waivers as storm cancels flights
All major U.S. airlines -- United, Southwest, Delta, American, and JetBlue -- have issued weather waivers to allow travelers to adjust flights potentially impacted by Hurricane Laura without fees.
There are currently 643 storm-related flight cancellations, according to FlightAware.
More than 400 of today's cancellations are at Houston Bush International Airport, representing about 60% of their total flights.
2:14 p.m.: Texas governor says to "get out of harm's way"
Texas has added three more counties to the state's disaster declaration, covering most of East Texas and bringing the total number to 36.
"I urge anyone in harm's way to get out of harm's way," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said at a briefing. "Because of the power of this storm, if you are unable or do not get out of harm's way ... for almost a 24-hour time period there will be no ability for rescuers and aiders to get in and assist you in any way."
The state has dedicated 400 buses, 38 aircraft, 82 boats and 202 high profile vehicles to disaster relief, authorities say. It also ordered 60 ambulances and an additional 75 para-transit vehicles to assist in moving residents.
More than 5,000 people are already sheltered and officials are preparing for many more.
The expected storm surge, described by officials as "unsurvivable," could continue inland for about 30 miles.
1:52 p.m.: Laura is now a Category 4 storm
Laura has strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, making it "extremely dangerous," says the National Hurricane Center.
The center of the storm is about 200 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and about 200 miles southeast of Port Arthur, Texas.
The storm will bring catastrophic storm surge, extreme winds, and flash flooding to the Gulf Coast tonight, the National Hurricane Center says.
Little time remains to protect life and property, authorities say.
12:56 p.m.: Louisiana officials expect catastrophic events from the storm
OEM officials in Louisiana are putting it bluntly to residents: Leave and leave now.
In their final briefing before Laura makes landfall, officials with Louisiana's Calcasieu Parish say they expect catastrophic events from the storm.
"Short of pulling people out of their homes, we have done everything humanly possible to get people out of Calcasieu Parish," said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. "As much as it pains me, we are quickly getting to the point where you are going to have to hunker down. Public safety is not going to be able to respond."
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