The 10PM advisory shows Hurricane Laura is still a Category 4 storm with 150 mile per hour sustained winds. Only one hurricane on record has made landfall in Louisiana at that intensity, and that was back in 1856. The advisory calls for CATASTROPHIC STORM SURGE, EXTREME WINDS, AND FLASH FLOODING EXPECTED TONIGHT AND EARLY THURSDAY.

The storm is about 75 miles south of Lake Charles with a landfall still expected around 1am.  A Tornado watch is in effect until 8am as far north as Winn Parish and as far east as Lake Pontchartrain.

State officials are alerting residents that mass power outages in the path of the storm are highly likely, and could persist for days after landfall. Entergy Louisiana is preparing to respond, and CEO Phillip May says crews are station just outside of harms way and ready to move into effected areas the moment the winds allow them to do so.

Cut 9 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

Along with incredible power, Laura is set to flood most of Cameron Parish and bring up to 20 feet of storm surge to the southwest Louisiana coast. Governor Edwards warns I-10 is likely to be overtopped in many areas in the southwest, and many structures will be flattened.

Cut 13 (11) “…long time” 

Governor Edwards announces the closure of portions of I-10.  I-10 eastbound is closed at the Texas-Louisiana line, and westbound is closed at that Atchafalaya Basin because of expected flooding.

Laura is so powerful it is expected to maintain hurricane strength up to Shreveport. Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center says it’s set to drop half a foot of rain in just a few hours along its path.

Cut 4 (10)“ …flash flooding” 

Governor Edwards announces the closure of portions of I-10.  I-10 eastbound is closed at the Texas-Louisiana line, and westbound is closed at that Atchafalaya Basin because of expected flooding.  Hurricane Laura is up to 150 mile per hour winds.  Only one hurricane on record has made landfall at that intensity, and that was back in 1856.

Once Laura makes landfall it will continue North along with the Louisiana – Texas state line. In addition to coastal Louisiana, Benjamin Schott with the National Weather Service says hurricane-force winds will be felt in Alexandria and south of Shreveport…

Cut 5 (12)  “…this forecast. ”

A Tornado watch is in effect until 8am as far north as Winn Parish and as far east as Lake Pontchartrain.

Governor Edwards warns that Laura is projected to bring devastation not seen in southwest Louisiana since Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Hurricane Laura is likely to create, two-story-high storm surge.

Cut 12 (11) “…parish”

Congressman Garret Graves says unlike southeast Louisiana, southwest Louisiana does not have an extensive network of levees. Graves says southwest Louisiana has abundant wetlands which will allow the floodwaters to recede faster than they would in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “Mexico”

State officials are alerting residents that mass power outages in the path of the storm are highly likely, and could persist for days after landfall.

Hurricane Laura is up to 150 mile per hour winds, and according to a Colorado State University forecaster If Laura maintains its current wind speed and pressure it will be the strongest storm to hit the state in over 100 years. As of the 7PM advisory, the eye is about 120 miles south of Lake Charles. Storm surge warnings are in effect from Freeport Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Governor Edwards tells southwest Louisiana residents who do not evacuate to stay in their homes once Laura makes landfall. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Entergy has crews from 20 different states prepped ahead of the storm to respond to power outages from Laura. CEO Phillip May says residents along the Texas – Louisiana border should not be the only ones prepping for extended outages, Laura’s projected path north after it makes landfall and storms that spin-off could cause issues for other parts for the state.

Cut 11 (09) “…this storm.”

Hurricane-force winds are projected to extend as far east a Baton Rouge and Alexandria. Most of the state south of I-20 is under a tornado watch until 9 pm tonight.

Congressmen Garett Graves says as the state braces for historic damage the feds are preparing to rush in financial aid to businesses who are already on the brink…

Cut 7 (07) “…back”

Hurricane Laura is up to 150 mile per hour winds, and according to a Colorado State University forecaster If Laura maintains its current wind speed and pressure it will be the strongest storm to hit the state in over 100 years.

Along with incredible power, Laura is set to flood most of Cameron Parish and bring up to 20 feet of storm surge to the southwest Louisiana coast. Governor Edwards warns I-10 is likely to be overtopped in many areas in the southwest, and many structures will be flattened.

Cut 13 (11) “…long time” 

Laura is so powerful it is expected to maintain hurricane strength up to Shreveport. Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center says it’s set to drop half a foot of rain in just a few hours along its path.

Cut 4 (10)“ …flash flooding” 

Landfall in Cameron Parish is now just six hours away.

20 feet of storm surge would likely top even the New Orleans levee system in some parts, but Congressman Garret Graves says he’s concerned about the possibility for mass devastation in southwest Louisiana, which doesn’t really have much in the way of any levees…

Cut 6 (12) “harm’s way”

Graves did warn that Hurricane Rita, which landed a similar blow in 2005, did wipe out large portions of the region’s wetlands.

Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to cover most of the state Thursday, and that means mass power outages are likely. Entergy CEO Phillip Mays says prepare for the worst by changing the settings on your freezer.

Cut 10 (06) “…colder.”

Hurricane-force winds are projected to extend as far east a Baton Rouge and Alexandria.

Category Four Hurricane Laura is up to 145 mile per hour winds and is just six to seven hours away from making landfall in Cameron Parish. Jeff Palermo reports on what Governor Edwards warned will be “unsurvivable” levels of storm surge along the southwest Louisiana coast…

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In response the Louisiana National Guard has been fully mobilized for the first time since 2012.

For those who either couldn’t make it out of the storm’s path, or chose to ride out the major hurricane Governor Edwards is asking you to find the safest place you can hold up at and once night falls to stay hunkered down until the system has passed. Edwards says you may be panicked by what is going to be rapidly deteriorating conditions, but once the storm makes landfall, don’t leave your home because trying to escape in the dark will be extremely dangerous. 

Cut 14 (10) “leave now”

Projections show up to category three winds could extend all the way to the Alexandria region, with good chances for tropical storm force winds across most of the state.

Those winds will knock out power. Entergy CEO Phillip May says they have assembled teams from across the country…

Cut 9 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

Hurricane Laura remains a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds at 145 mph moving northwest at 15 miles per hour. Governor Edwards warns that Laura is projected to bring devastation not seen in southwest Louisiana since Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Hurricane Laura is likely to create, two-story-high storm surge.

Cut 12 (11) “…parish”

Congressman Garret Graves says unlike southeast Louisiana, southwest Louisiana does not have an extensive network of levees. Graves says southwest Louisiana has abundant wetlands which will allow the floodwaters to recede faster than they would in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “Mexico”

Both Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes are under mandatory evacuations and as hurricane Laura approaches the state, Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center says Laura will produce catastrophic storm surge…

Cut 3 (11)  “…unsurvivable”  

Entergy has crews from 20 different states prepped ahead of the storm to respond to power outages from Laura. CEO Phillip May says residents along the Texas – Louisiana border should not be the only ones prepping for extended outages, Laura’s projected path north after it makes landfall and storms that spin-off could cause issues for other parts for the state.

Cut 11 (09) “…this storm.”

Most of the state south of I-20 is under a tornado watch until 9 pm tonight.

Hurricane Laura remains a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds now at 145 mph moving northwest at 15 miles per hour.  Both Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes are under a mandatory evacuation. Governor Edwards says the window to evacuate will likely close this afternoon and if you’re still in the storm’s path, do not leave your house once it makes landfall because trying to escape in the dark will be extremely dangerous.

Cut 14 (10) “leave now”

Congressmen Garett Graves says as the state braces for historic damage the feds are preparing to rush in financial aid to businesses who are already on the brink…

Cut 7 (07) “…back”

Most of the state south of I-20 is under a tornado watch until 9pm.

Once Laura makes landfall it will continue North along with the Louisiana – Texas state line. In addition to coastal Louisiana, Benjamin Schott with the National Weather Service says hurricane-force winds will be felt in Alexandria and south of Shreveport…

Cut 5 (12)  “…this forecast. ”

Schott says a lot of structures, power lines, and trees will be knocked down.

Entergy has a few tips for customers ahead of the storm on how you can prepare for anticipated outages in addition to downloading their app and fully charging your smartphone. CEO Phillip May says there are some settings you can change on your refrigerator and freezer.

Cut 10 (06) “…colder.”

He also suggests freezing bottles of water and placing them in your freezer and refrigerator to help preserve food longer.

Hurricane Laura has hit category four strength and is set to wreak havoc in southwest Louisiana when it makes landfall early tomorrow morning. Governor Edwards warns residents that areas south of I-10 will likely be swamped, and I-10 itself will likely be overtopped in places around the region. He also warns many structures will be flattened.

Cut 13 (11) “…long time” 

Joel Cline with the National Hurricane Center says they’re projecting as much as 20 feet of stormsurge along the coast, and says the storm will produce heavy rainfall, a half a foot could fall in a short amount of time…

Cut 4 (10)“ …flash flooding” 

The Louisiana National Guard has been fully mobilized for the first time since Hurricane Isaac in 2012.

Congressman Garret Graves says southwest Louisiana is not defended against storms like Laura the same way that southeast Louisiana is. He notes the region does not have the same kind of extensive levee system in place, which allows water to drain out more quickly, but…

Cut 6 (12) “harm’s way”

Graves did warn that Hurricane Rita, which landed a similar blow in 2005, did wipe out large portions of the region’s wetlands.

State officials are alerting residents that mass power outages in the path of the storm are highly likely, and could persist for days after landfall. Entergy Louisiana is preparing to respond, and CEO Phillip May says crews are station just outside of harms way and ready to move into effected areas the moment the winds allow them to do so.

Cut 9 (09) “…in Louisiana.”