Update: August 27. Fortunately, the flooding level in Lake Charles was less than warned of. But the high winds brought down many trees and power lines. Homes are also damaged by the winds. The winds also broke many windows in high rises. 700,000 units are without power, which we estimate could be 2 million people.
The warm 86 degree F Gulf Waters will strengthen Hurricane Laura to a Category 4 tonight. It comes onshore tonight and Thursday morning. We will show slides of its predicted storm surge, flooding, and maximum winds on land, taken off of The Weather Channel Wednesday morning. Category 4 has winds of 130 mph, up until 156 mph, where Category 5 starts.
If you are in the flooding region, Leave Now!
AccuWeather estimates the damage at $25-$30 billion.
Lake Charles will be under water, and is being evacuated. It could be hit with 125 mph plus wind gusts. They are expecting a 15 foot storm surge on the Calcasieu River through it. The high tide there will be at 7:05 AM.
Six million people are under a hurricane warning or watch.
The storm is 350 miles across. Its outer bands are spawning tornadoes. It’s wind speed has reached 150 mph, close to a Category 5. Wind gusts are up to 185 mph. The pressure at the hurricane is 939 mb.
The energy density in a hurricane increases with the square of the wind velocity, and essentially doubles with every two increases in Category. The 150 mph winds compared to the start of Category 4 at 130 mph has 33% more energy, and is 3/4 of the way to Category 5 at 156 mph or 44% more energy than Category 4.
As the Mississippi drainage, South-Western Louisiana is wetlands up to 30 miles inland. Louisiana contains 40-45% of the wetlands found in the lower states.
Port Arthur has ordered a mandatory evacuation, and is providing buses. According to flood maps, it will flood if the water rises more than 9 feet.
The area around the Casino resort will be flooded.
Some maps to follow the news.
