Hurricane Laura Update - Tuesday August 25, 4:30pm

Click HERE to see the latest slides for Hurricane Laura.
Here is an update concerning Hurricane Laura. 

Changes from previous update: 

• The possible storm surge flood inundation has decreased slightly for areas east of the MS River

• Otherwise, no signifcant changes to expected impacts

Overview:

• Hurricane Laura is becoming better organized

• Laura is forecast to continue strengthening as it moves across the Gulf today and tomorrow

• It is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane in SW LA or SE TX Wednesday night

• Impacts will be greatest across SE LA and S MS during the Wednesday through Thursday morning time frame

Confidence:

• If the current forecast holds, we are confident that minor/moderate impacts will be experienced across portions of SE LA and S MS

Impacts:

Storm Surge:

• Possible storm surge inundation levels

  • Morgan City to MS River: 4-6 ft inundation possible

  • MS River to Ocean Springs: 2-4 ft inundation possible

  • Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas: 2-4 ft inundation possible

  • Ocean Springs to AL Border: 1-3 ft possible

• Expect several low-lying, coastal roads to become impassable due to flooding. 

• Some areas may become cut off or inaccessible 

Wind and tornado:

• Sustained tropical storm force winds with higher gusts will be possible mainly across areas near and just east of the Atchafalaya River Wednesday into Wednesday night

• Elsewhere, tropical storm force gusts will be possible

• These winds could result in minor damage mainly to trees, powerlines, and weaker structures.  A few trees may fall and block roadways or damage structures.

• A few tornadoes will be possible in the storm’s rain bands. Tornadoes in these situations are typically short-lived, but they move very quickly.

Rainfall/Flooding:

• There is potential for heavy rainfall if/where any of Laura's outer bands track

• Expect ponding of water in low lying areas and some potential for localized flash flooding

The attached briefing below highlights the threats associated with this system.

Additional Information and Resources:
NWS New Orleans Website: www.weather.gov/neworleans
NWS New Orleans DSS Website: http://www.weather.gov/lix/embrief
NWS New Orleans Tropical Page: https://www.weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=lix
River Gauges and Forecasts: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lix
NWS New Orleans Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSNewOrleans
NWS New Orleans Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSNewOrleans
Online Severe Weather Reporting: https://www.weather.gov/lix/submit_storm_report
National Hurricane Center Website: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/