Hurricane Laura has made landfall near Cameron as a Category 4 storm with max winds at 150 miles per hour and is moving into Calcasieu Parish. An extreme wind warning is in effect until at least 3am for all of Calcasieu Parishes as well as portions of Cameron, Beauregard, Allen, Jeff Davis, Vermilion, and Acadia Parishes for extremely dangerous hurricane winds. For those in these areas, if not already, move immediately to an interior room or shelter and treat these extreme winds like a tornado.
In response to Hurricane Laura, Governor John Bel Edwards has mobilized the entire Louisiana National Guard, a decision he says hasn’t been made since Hurricane Isaac in 2012. Louisiana National Guard Sgt. Denis Ricou (Denny Ree-coo) says more than 3,000 guardsmen are out and will be utilizing the Guard’s extensive search and rescue assets.
Those search and rescue efforts will begin once the storm passes.
State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Urban Search and Rescue teams are on standby to respond to the areas impacted by Hurricane Laura. Browning calls the teams critical in responding to building collapses and people being trapped in buildings.Browning says the outlook is not good and hopes residents have fled coastal areas where massive storm surges are expected.
Northwest Louisiana is bracing to endure hurricane conditions throughout the day as Laura is projected to maintain strength even as it moves inland. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jason Richardson says the biggest concern will be winds, which could be sustained at over 73 miles per hour, with higher gusts.