BREAKING: Laura is now a Cat 4.
Hurricane #Laura Advisory 27A: Air Force Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Reports Laura Has Become an Extremely Dangerous Category 4 Hurricane. Catastrophic Storm Surge, Extreme Winds, and Flash Flooding Expected Along the Northwest Gulf Coast Tonight.
Residents in far Southeast Texas and western Louisiana are bracing for the worst of the impacts of Hurricane Laura, which is forecast to be a major hurricane at landfall late tonight into early Thursday morning.
In its 1 p.m. update Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center said Laura had become a Category 4 storm with max sustained winds at 140 mph.
The National Hurricane Center’s latest track for Hurricane Laura has it making landfall, likely as a Category 3 or Category 4 hurricane. The models are coming to an agreement about where it will come ashore, and it looks to be right along the Louisiana-Texas border. The forecast track has remained mostly the same for the past day.
Read more here from KHOU Ch 11
Storm surge warning for San Luis Pass, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Hurricane warning for San Luis Pass, Texas, to west of Intercoastal City, Louisiana.
Tropical storm warning for Sargent, Texas, to San Luis Pass, Texas, and from Intercoastal City, Louisiana, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Storm surge watch for Freeport, Texas to San Luis Pass, Texas.
Here’s a list of educational institutions that have announced closures so far:
Anahuac ISD — The Anahuac Independent School District announced it will be closed Tuesday, Aug. 25 through Friday, Aug. 28 “due to the concern for the safety of our staff and students,” officials announced.
Brazosport College — Brazosport College will close Tuesday at 5 p.m. through Thursday. All evening college classes scheduled for Tuesday, including online, face-to-face, or in a hybrid/blended format are canceled, the college announced. Meanwhile, any classes scheduled before 5 p.m. Tuesday will continue as scheduled. This will include dual credit courses being offered online, face-to-face or in a hybrid format.
Brazosport ISD — Brazosport ISD will be closed Tuesday through Thursday and the district said there will be no in-person or virtual classes during the days of the closure. “Given the uncertainty of Tropical Storm Laura in the Gulf of Mexico, we have determined it is in the best interest of our students and staff to take action and close schools Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,” the district said on their website Monday.
Clear Creek ISD — The Clear Creek Independent School District is issuing an early release for all staff and students at noon Tuesday. Schools will also be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. A decision regarding Friday will be made on Thursday and communicated to parents and staff.
Cleveland ISD — Cleveland ISD will be closed Wednesday, August 25 through Friday, August 28. The district said it is in the best interest of the students and staff. Classes will resume on Monday, August 31.
Dayton ISD — Dayton ISD is closing Wednesday – Friday, August 25 -28, 2020.
Dickinson ISD — Dickinson Independent School District will have an early release Tuesday at noon to allow employees and families time to prepare for Hurricane Laura. At this time, the district said they do not anticipate a significant impact in the area; however, they wanted to take precuations. Students who are on campus Tuesday will be dismissed at 11 a.m. and all staff will be released at 12 p.m. DISD will have a full-day closure on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27. There will be no remote instruction on Wednesday or Thursday. A decision regarding Friday, August 28 will be announced on Thursday.
Friendswood ISD — Due to inclement weather, FISD schools and facilities will be closed Wednesday, August 26 – Friday, August 28.
Galveston ISD — The Galveston Independent School District announced Tuesday morning that the district will be closed today, August 25, and for the remainder of the week. A mandatory evacuation was issued for all residents. All on-site and remote classes have been canceled. Classes will resume on Monday, August 31.
Huffman ISD — Huffman ISD announced it is canceling school on Tuesday and Wednesday as a precautionary measure to help staff and families prepare for potential weather concerns in the Huffman area. “As you all know, Huffman was greatly impacted by Harvey and Imelda, and we want to allow everyone sufficient time to plan appropriately,” officials wrote on Facebook. “We will evaluate the situation on Wednesday to determine plans for Thursday.” Meal pick-up will start when classes resume.
La Porte ISD — La Porte Independent School District will close at 12 p.m. Tuesday so that staff members may prepare for Hurricane Laura. All district operations, including virtual instruction and extracurricular activities, are suspended through at least Thursday.
Santa Fe ISD — Santa Fe ISD campuses and district offices will have early release at 12 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, to allow families time to prepare for Hurricane Laura. SFISD Transportation services for high school and junior high students will begin Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and elementary students will be released at 11:30 a.m. There will be a full district closure beginning at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25 through Thursday, August 27. Additional information will be communicated through SFISD media outlets.
Texas City ISD — Texas City ISD will release 12 p.m. Tuesday to allow staff and families to prepare for Hurricane Laura. The schools will also be closed Wednesday and Thursday. A decision about Friday will be made on Thursday. Curbside meals will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday. There will be early release for administration and support services staff at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Virtual classes are canceled Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27.
EVACUATION ORDERS:
Here’s a list of the evacuation orders in place right now:
City of Baytown — Voluntary evacuation recommended for ZIP codes 77520 and 77523. More information can be found here.
Brazoria County — Voluntary evacuation order for low-lying coastal communities that are outside of the protection levee.
Chambers County — Voluntary evacuation order, specifically targeted at residents whose homes are in low-lying or flood-prone areas, or those whose homes have flooded during recent high-rain events. “We ask residents to evaluate their locations, situations and resources and make an educated decision to protect themselves and their families,” Sylvia said in the release.
Galveston County — Voluntary evacuation order for residents of Bolivar Peninsula, including unincorporated areas of Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, High Island and Gilchrist. This order, which takes effect immediately, could become mandatory.
City of Galveston — Mandatory evacuation effective Tuesday. All residents should secure loose items on their property and leave the island. City services will be suspended as of noon Tuesday. Sanitation will complete its route Tuesday morning before suspending services. All city facilities and buildings will be closed at noon Tuesday. Residents signed up for the STEAR program can board buses at 48th and Broadway at the Island Community Center and should arrive at the location as soon as possible. STEAR program residents can call 409-765-3710. CORRECTION: An earlier statement from city officials said that residents were required to leave the island by noon Tuesday. They issued a correction later, saying that is not the case.
Jefferson County — Mandatory evacuation order that takes effect at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. Read the order here. Evacuation buses are available at several sites in Beaumont. You can see the full list of bus locations here.
Orange County — Orange County and city Officials are calling for a mandatory evacuation for all of Orange County at 6 am, Tuesday. Citizens who cannot evacuate themselves can find transportation resources at either of the two embarkation sites in the county. Evacuees can arrive at location at 9 am, Tuesday. The two locations are Lamar State College Orange, 410 Front Street and Vidor Elementary, 400 Old Hwy 90 E.
City of Port Arthur — Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist at Harris County Flood Control District, confirmed to KPRC 2 that the City of Port Arthur will be ordering a mandatory evacuation effective at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.
City of Seabrook — Mayor Thom Kolupski issued a voluntary evacuation for residents and businesses in low-lying areas in Seabrook, specifically lower Todville from Red Bluff south to SH 146 and Baywood Drive. These portions of Seabrook are most prone to storm surge and flooding, officials wrote. “Due to the potential for storm-surge, the City of Seabrook has determined it is in the best interest of the residents in these areas to make preparations to leave,” officials wrote.
TROPICAL STORM LAURA
Houston is still in the possible path of Laura. The National Hurricane Center forecast calls for Laura to become a hurricane and head for the Texas-Louisiana border by midweek. Given the change in Marco’s track, it is possible that at least parts of Louisiana could be hit by two tropical systems in two days.
Weather alerts
The National Hurricane Center has issued the following watches and warnings:
- Storm surge watch for San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas and Lake Borgne.
- Hurricane watch for Port Bolivar, Texas to west of Morgan City, Louisiana.
- Tropical Storm Watch for south of Port Bolivar, Texas, to San Luis Pass, Texas, Morgan City, Louisiana, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
