Hurricane Laura Update - Wednesday August 26, 10:30am

Click HERE  for the latest slides from the NWS for Hurricane Laura. 

Here is an update concerning Hurricane Laura. 

Changes from previous update: 

• Laura's forecast intensity has been nudged upward again

• No significant changes to expected local impacts

Overview:

• Hurricane Laura is becoming stronger
• Laura is forecast to continue strengthening to a category 4 hurricane as it moves across the Gulf today.
• It is forecast to make landfall as a major hurricane in SW LA or SE TX tonight
• Impacts will be greatest across SE LA and S MS beginning today through Thursday morning time frame

Confidence:

• We are confident that minor to 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: 4-7 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 low-lying, coastal roads to be flooded and a several could become impassable

• Some areas will 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 through tonight
• 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:

• A flash flood watch is in effect through 7pm Thusday

• 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

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/