12:30 LRN newscast August 26

The warnings pertaining to Hurricane Laura are grim. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a storm surge of up to 20 feet which they say is unsurvivable for those living along the coast. Laura is expected to make landfall near the Louisiana-Texas line late tonight, early tomorrow morning and maintain hurricane strength as it moves over Toledo Bend. Benjamin Schott with the National Weather Service says hurricane-force winds will be felt in Alexandria and south of Shreveport…
Cut 5 (12) “…the best”
Schott says a lot of structures, power lines, and trees will be knocked down.

Laura will leave thousands without power. Entergy CEO Philip May says they have thousands of workers ready to restore electricity…
cut 9 (09) “…in Louisiana”

The National Hurricane Center warns up to 20 feet of storm surge is possible in parts of southwest Louisiana due to Hurricane Laura. Congressman Garret Graves says unlike southeast Louisiana, southwest Louisiana does not have an extensive network of levees.
cut 6 (12) “harm’s way”
Graves says Laura will also produce additional coastal land loss.

Governor Edwards has just wrapped up a press briefing where he announced COVID Phase two restrictions will be extended for another two weeks. The state is reporting 844 new cases and 33 deaths today.