'Catastrophic landfall': Hurricane Laura rapidly intensifies, 'will likely become a category 4 storm'

Hurricane Laura is rapidly intensifying over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is now projected to “become a category 4 storm later today”:

#BREAKING: #LAURA BECOMES A MAJOR HURRICANE

Max winds are up to 115 mph, making Laura a category 3 hurricane. Rapid intensification still underway and Laura will likely become a category 4 storm later today.@WCBD pic.twitter.com/ZMHqFcBWhH

— Josh Marthers (@joshmarthers) August 26, 2020

The storm is expected to make landfall later tonight as a category 3 hurricane near the Texas-Louisana border:

Update on #Laura: it is now a Category 2 storm with winds at 110 mph. It is expected to undergo rapid intensification to a Category 4 later this afternoon and make landfall late tonight as a Category 3. pic.twitter.com/aV9eun8KyS

— WDTV 5 News (@WDTV5News) August 26, 2020

Port Arthur, Beaumont and Lake Charles are likely to experience severe impacts from the storm:

Cities that will feel the worst impacts from #Laura include Port Arthur, Beaumont and Lake Charles. pic.twitter.com/4rM6w4tDZi

— Anthony Farnell (@AnthonyFarnell) August 26, 2020

Evacuations are underway:

SWLA: Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter ahead of #hurricane #Laura landfall: Get out of Lake Charles. Get out of Calcasieu Parish #LaWx

MORE: https://t.co/04bZdq9VeK pic.twitter.com/8KelUlWgHa

— Gerron Jordan (@GerronJordan) August 26, 2020

And this is what officials have feared:

Laura’s weak side, thankfully, is likely what Houston-Galveston will see. But for Beaumont & Port Arthur into Lake Charles, Cameron, Lafayette and Arcadiana this looks to become an infamous and catastrophic landfall.

The much feared rapid intensification is underway. https://t.co/CjL6DAnDpv

— John Morales (@JohnMoralesNBC6) August 26, 2020

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The ocean temperature is “ideal” for rapid intensification:

Hurricanes get their energy from the ocean (through evaporation, then condensation). #Laura is moving over ideal ocean temperatures right now. https://t.co/N61VNdWh4P

— Ava Marie (@AvaWBAL) August 26, 2020

The NHC is predicting storm surge as far as 30 miles inland:

#Laura is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge producing potentially catastrophic damage with peak inundation of 10-15 ft above ground level between Sea Rim State Park, TX, and Intracoastal City, LA. In some places surge could penetrate as far as 30 miles inland. pic.twitter.com/B7kUVA3Jdy

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 26, 2020

And the wind field is huge, too:

#HurricaneLaura Wind field at landfall. Hurricane winds ~100 miles wide (orange), Tropical Storm winds ~200 miles wide. (yellow) The size of Laura has increased significantly, not in Ike or Rita territory but getting there pic.twitter.com/3TrA7e3gPr

— Bill Karins (@BillKarins) August 26, 2020

A “nightmare for emergency managers” as people need to evacuate now:

This is a nightmare for emergency managers. 18 hours before landfall, rapidly strengthening hurricane, worse than predictions. Many who didn't expect to evacuate will now need to do so quickly! https://t.co/5t5yYwRugK

— Bill Karins (@BillKarins) August 26, 2020

Prayers up and we’ll keep you posted.

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