Hurricane Laura arrived on the Louisiana coast as a Category 4 storm with torrential rains, violent winds and dangerous storm surges, killing one and devastating communities. A shelter in place order is in effect around Louisiana’s Lake Charles, where a chemical plant fire was reported west of Lake Charles, Louisiana officials warn.
Just spotted the huge fire at a plant in Lake Charles. Residents in nearby areas and north of the plant are being asked to shelter indoors, close their windows and turn off their AC. It is unclear if this fire is related to Hurricane #Laura. pic.twitter.com/HLjx2VSjQY
— Maya Rodriguez (@MayaJRodriguez) August 27, 2020
The National Hurricane Center warned of a potentially “unsurvivable” storm surge due to being only 15-feet above sea level. The maximum winds at landfall were 150 mph, and the storm’s pressure was recorded at 938 millibars 1 a.m. on Thursday morning.
Storm chaser Reed Timmer described the situation as Hurricane Laura makes landfall in Louisiana.
BREAkING! Buildings gutted in Lake Charles LA in powerful eye wall of #HurricaneLaura @RadarOmega_WX @ChasinSpin pic.twitter.com/wP3fPyREIZ
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) August 27, 2020
“As we wake up today, everyone must remember that the threat Laura poses to Louisiana is ongoing,” Lousiana Gov. John Bel Edwards tweeted Thursday. “Stay home, continue to heed the warnings and instructions of local officials and monitor your local news to stay informed.”
The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal posted images after the storm passed through Lake Charles.
Here is a look at pre and post #HurricaneLaura views from our Lake Charles office staff (who are all safe this morning).
— Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (@LAFIREMARSHAL) August 27, 2020
*top photos taken 5:30p 8/26, bottom photos taken 7a 8/27* pic.twitter.com/5raNI6Z1VD
According to NBC News, a 14-year-old girl was killed when a tree collapsed on her home in Vernon Parish of Lake Charles. There could be more casualties.
The weakening hurricane is moving northward towards mid-Atlantic states over the weekend. Hurricane Laura is currently tracking toward Arkansas, where the state was issued a tropical storm warning.
Track Laura here.