Hurricane Laura is forecast to start rapid intensification today as it moves further into the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Hurricane Center says Laura is now forecast to become a major hurricane before hitting near the Texas-Louisiana line late Wednesday into Thursday.
Top sustained winds are now expected to hit 115 miles per hour, making Laura a Category Three hurricane.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND----------------------
STORM SURGE:
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide...
- High Island TX to Morgan City LA including Sabine Lake, Calcasieu
- Lake, and Vermilion Bay...7-11 ft
- Port Bolivar TX to High Island TX...4-6 ft
- Morgan City LA to Mouth of the Mississippi River...4-6 ft
- Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs MS including Lake Borgne...3-5 ft
- San Luis Pass TX to Port Bolivar TX...2-4 ft
- Galveston Bay...2-4 ft
- Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas...2-4 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.
RAINFALL:
Laura is expected to produce the following storm total rainfall accumulations:
Rainfall will be coming to an end across western Cuba Tuesday morning with additional rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches possible.
From Wednesday afternoon into Saturday, Laura is expected to produce rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches across portions of the west-central U.S. Gulf Coast near the Texas and Louisiana border north into portions of the lower Mississippi Valley. This rainfall could cause widespread flash and urban flooding, small streams to overflow their banks, and minor to isolated moderate river flooding.
WIND:
Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread westward within the warning area in western Cuba during the next few hours. Tropical storm conditions are also expected for the Dry Tortugas for a few more hours.
Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area along the Gulf Coast by late Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions possible by Wednesday afternoon.
SURF:
Swells generated by Laura are affecting portions of Cuba, the central Bahamas, and the Florida Keys. Swells are expected to spread northward along portions of the west coast of Florida peninsula and the coast of the Florida panhandle later today and tonight, and reach the northern and northwest Gulf coast by Wednesday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
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