Hurrican Laura is expected to cause destruction and catastrophe as a Category 4 hurricane. Previously, Hurricane Laura was anticipated to fall within category 3 but its rapid growth in power has now pushed it in the realm of category 4. It is steadily moving towards Texas and Louisiana, swirling wind and water at great speed over the Gulf of Mexico.
Category 4 forecasted
Satellite images reveal that Hurricane Laura has gained significant speed and power in the last few hours. As a category 4 hurricane, it is likely to cause considerable damage including smashing hundreds of houses destroying cars. Weather experts suggest that this formidable hurricane has the strength to sink an entire community. There are no hints of the hurricane slowing down any time soon. It keeps on gaining speed and rhythm as it moves closer to Texas and Louisiana.
Analysts have noted that the hurricane is causing storms greater than the height of 15 feet in some areas. The rising ocean waters are anticipated to cause heavy destruction and turmoil for the residents. The hurricane has grown into the category 4 in just the last 24 hours from its category 3 status.
Weather experts fear that this hurricane may step into category 5.
The maximum strength of winds was calculated at 115 mph on Wednesday morning and the hurricane was at a distance of 280 miles from Lake Charles in Lousiana. It was moving towards Texas at a speed of 15 mph. Current observations reveal that the winds are traveling at a speed of 130 mph. The strong winds and swirls of water are 450 miles away from Texas.
Warnings have been issued from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Storm surge warnings have been issued from the Port Arthur, Texas. Meanwhile, the flood protection system has been set up at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Kathleen Tierney, the former director for the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado told the press, “We need to be concerned about the federal capacity to respond to a major hurricane disaster, particularly in light of failings that are all too obvious in the public health area.” The hurricane is expected to cause a power outage for weeks.
In accordance with the largest evacuation plan drawn in the United States, more than half a million people were sanctioned to be evacuated from the areas of Gulf Coast along the Texas-Louisiana state line. About 385,000 inhabitants were evacuated on Tuesday from Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston, and Port Arthur. Hurricane Laura also resulted in about 200,000 people being evacuated from the low lying regions of Calcasieu and Cameron parishes towards southwestern Louisiana.
What will happen if Hurricane Laura powers to Category 5?
Weather forecast analysts fear after attaining the category 4, hurricane Laura might soon advance to a category 5. Category 5 is the last category of power a hurricane can attain under the Saffir-Simpson scale. The thunderous storms and wind are anticipated to move at a speed of 157 miles per hour or more. Only 35 hurricanes of category 5 have been documented since 1924 in the North Atlantic. Among the 35 documented ones, 5 hit the United States and resulted in a number of casualties.
If Hurricane Laura intensifies to a category 5 hurricane, the aftermath would be deadly. Category 5 hurricanes have the ability to destroy power lines, shatter roofs, and even claim lives. If Hurricane Laura reaches category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the areas struck by it are likely to be inhabitable for months afterward.
