The latest forecast now shows Laura as a Category 3 storm at landfall.
Meteorologist Scot Pilie says “Can’t stress this enough. Heed all evacuation recommendations from your local officials. If the call is made to get out, and you’re in a low-lying location, leave!
Life-threatening storm surge of 7-11+ feet is likely along portions of the Upper southeast Texas coast east of Galveston Bay into Southwest Louisiana. If told to evacuate, do so!”
NHC states “Do not focus on the exact details of the track or intensity forecasts as the average NHC track error at 48 hours is around 80 miles and the average intensity error is close to 15 mph. In addition, wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards will extend far from the center.”
A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Port Bolivar, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana. Hurricane force winds 74+ mph possible within 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from south of Port Bolivar to San Luis Pass Texas and from Morgan City to the Mouth of the Mississippi River. Tropical storm force winds 39-55+mph winds possible within 48 hours.
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for…
* San Luis Pass Texas to Ocean Springs Mississippi
* Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Borgne
6PM update on Laura and Marco
Laura looks like a much bigger threat at landfall as a category 2 or potentially 3 storm. Right now it is still looking like the western part of the state. That could still change over the next couple of days as a lot of uncertainty remains. This system will need to be watched closely.
Flash flooding will be isolated with Marco. However there could still be periods of heavy rain, especially along the coast. Basically New Orleans and southward you will have the chance for rain heavy enough to cause a little street flooding at times.
There is the threat for isolated tornadoes on the east side of Marco. This will probably last for the next couple of days. Have a way to get warnings if they are issued for your area. Keep in mind these will move quickly and you will want to take shelter right away.