Evacuations Underway In Texas, Louisiana As Hurricane Laura Churns In The Gulf Of Mexico

Updated 2:35 p.m. EDT

The National Weather Service upgraded Laura to a category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of 140 mph and gusting higher.

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The National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Laura to a category 2 hurricane Wednesday as it continued to churn in the Gulf of Mexico on its way to the Gulf Coast.

With the 15th anniversary of Katrina approaching, evacuation orders have been issued for coastal communities in Louisiana and Texas in Laura’s projected path as it is forecast to reach category 3 and, possibly, category 4 strength.

Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 tropical cyclone, which struck the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005 and killed more than residents.

As of Wednesday, Hurricane Laura was around 430 miles off the coast of Louisiana with sustained winds averaging 110 mph and moving northwest at 15 mph.

The Texas and Louisiana coasts are expected to get their first taste of Laura later on Wednesday with storms and heavy rainfall. As Laura gets closer to land, the rainfall will intensify and likely lead to flooding in several waterways and urban areas.

“Widespread flash flooding along small streams, urban areas, and roadways is expected to begin this afternoon into Thursday from far eastern Texas, across Louisiana and Arkansas,” the National Hurricane Center said. “This will also lead to minor to isolated moderate freshwater river flooding. The heavy rainfall threat and localized flash and urban flooding potential will spread northeastward into the middle-Mississippi, lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys Friday night and Saturday.”

Heavy damage is expected from the hurricane-force winds, as well. While there are no tornado warnings, residents are warned to remain vigilant as Laura moves further inland for the rest of the week.

Evacuation efforts are well underway along the eastern coast of Texas as residents are being told to move further inland and supply themselves for what could be a lengthy recovery period.

“As Hurricane Laura approaches Texas, this waiver will ensure that Texans are able to evacuate efficiently ahead of the storm,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a press release. “I urge Texans in the area to continue to take all necessary precautions as Hurricane Laura nears the coast and heed the guidance of local officials.”

Shelters in eastern Texas have also been stocked with coronavirus supplies to limit potential exposure and conduct regular tests on anyone taking refuge.

It was a similar situation in Louisiana as hundreds of thousands of residents fled the state’s coastline to get ahead of the storm. The efforts were described by local outlets as “herculean” as authorities did everything they could to assist anyone who could not get out on their own.

One example was seen in Calcasieu Parish, where authorities have co-opted buses to assist in evacuations. Parish residents taking buses were ordered to an events center in Lake Charles and over 400 residents have already been evacuated.