Hurricane Laura Update - Wednesday August 26, 5:00 am

Click HERE to see the NWS slides from Hurricane Laura. 

Here is an update concerning Hurricane Laura. 

Changes from previous update: 

Storm surge inundation numbers have been changed to 4 to 7 feet in the warned area from the Mississippi River to Morgan City.

The highest of these inundation numbers should be found over the southwestern most portion of the coast.

A flash flood watch has been issued for the western half of the area.

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 few may become impassable

• 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 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/

Next Update and Contact Information:

The next update will be sent around 11 AM CDT.  If you have any questions in the interim or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We can be reached by phone at 504-522-7330 or 985-649-0429.  Use extension 4 to speak with a forecaster.  Alternatively, you can reach us by email by replying to this message or sending an email to sr-lix.forecasters@noaa.gov. Both methods will be delivered to the forecasters on shift at the office.

Regards,
Erickson
Meteorologist
NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge