More than 500,000 people living along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana are rushing to evacuate today, amid warnings that Hurricane Laura will soon make landfall as a historic storm with potentially catastrophic flooding and ferocious winds.
Houston, Galveston Could be Spared Worst of Category 4 Storm
Laura will likely intensify to a Category 4 hurricane before coming ashore sometime late tonight or early Thursday morning, with wind speeds reaching as high as 130 mph.
“The models are in very good agreement on the center of Laura moving into extreme southwestern Louisiana or southeastern Texas in about 24 hours,” the National Hurricane Center stated in a 4 a.m. update.
Forecasters are now predicting that the storm will strike somewhere along the Texas-Louisiana border, sparing Houston and Galveston from its worst effects. Nevertheless, residents of Houston, some of whom are still recovering from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey three years ago, should prepare supplies for a few days in case they lose power or must evacuate.
13-Foot Storm Surge Possible for Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
According to The Houston Chronicle, hurricane warnings are in effect from San Luis Pass to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. A flood warning is also in effect from Freeport, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River, where forecasters are warning of “life-threatening inundation” from rising waters that could penetrate 30 miles inland.
On Tuesday, mandatory evacuation orders impacting 385,000 people went into effect for Beaumont, Galveston, and Port Arthur, Texas. Another 200,000 people were ordered to leave Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana, where a 13-foot storm surge could submerge entire communities.
“Our goal is a safe, sane, predictable and well-run evacuation,” W. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said during a Tuesday News Conference.
“Our goal is no loss of life,” he continued. “Our goal is evacuation, not rescue, and then a rapid cleanup and recovery.”
In Port Arthur, those heading for official shelters were told to bring just one bag, as well as a mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Hurricane Laura Could Cause $30 Billion in Damage
Unlike Harvey three years ago, Hurricane Laura is not expected to be a devastating rain event. While there will be a good amount of rain, forecasters are more worried about damaging winds and storm surge.
“These winds are forecasted to begin tomorrow morning so be prepared for the problems that high winds bring, such as property damage, loss of power and other issues. Get a game-plan and be ready,” Louisiana Governor Bel Edwards tweeted yesterday afternoon.
According to AccuWeather, Hurricane Laura could cause up to $30 billion in damage, depending on exactly where it strikes. That includes damage to homes, businesses, and automobiles, as well as job and wage losses, infrastructure damage, auxiliary business losses, medical expenses, and closures. AccuWeather’s estimate also includes economic losses related to power outages, highway closures, evacuations, and government cleanup efforts.
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Our Experienced Hurricane Damage Lawyers are monitoring Hurricane Laura’s path and will continue to post updates as new information becomes available.
With the storm expected to cause billions in property damage, many insurance companies will attempt to delay, deny, or underpay legitimate claims. If your insurance carrier refuses to treat you fairly, it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney on your side to protect your rights and ensure full payment of your Hurricane Laura wind or flood damage claim.
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Our Houston-based Insurance Dispute Attorneys will answer your questions, explain your rights, and provide all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
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