Hurricane Laura Now Category 4: 620,000 People Told to Evacuate

According to the US National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Laura has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm. Looking back for comparison, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that hit Louisiana and Mississippi was a Category 3 storm. Laura's winds are expected to reach 140 mph as it makes landfall at the Texas-Louisiana border by tonight. Officials expect the storm to cause "unsurvivable storm surges."

Tornado watches were issued in certain parts of Louisiana and Texas, until 9 pm local time today. According to AJ+, about 620,000 people were advised to evacuate. There is not much time left before life and property protections should be put in place. Certain counties have already made evacuation plans for their residents, and stores have issued their product limits on certain storm prep items.

The amount of people evacuating raises concerns for COVID-19 rates. AJ+ reports that cases could rise up to 61,000, all depending on how the evacuation plans are implemented. There are very high risks of flooding for Lousiana and Texas coasts. The vast majority of deaths, according to The Weather Channel, come from tropical systems that cause storm surges and flooding. As of 3 pm today, water levels already started to rise in southeast Texas and Lousiana.

The eye of Hurricane Laura measures 20 miles wide, rotating within the eye itself, which is a phenomenon reserved for particularly intense hurricanes. (Eric Snitil, Wx).

Mandatory and voluntary evacuations have been ordered for many residents within the storm's path.

SOURCES: THE WEATHER CHANNEL, AJ+, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER