<h2>WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2020 AS OF 9:00 AM EST</h2>
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Laura" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Hurricane Center (NHC)</a>, Hurricane Laura is moving northwest towards the gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana with max sustained winds of 110 miles per hour (mph). According to the NOAA NHC, Laura is centered just over 300 miles south-southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana and is tracking northwest at 15 mph. Laura is currently a Category 3 Hurricane and is predicted to rapidly strengthen to a Category 4 Hurricane today, Wednesday August 26 before making landfall. <a href="https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2020-08-26-hurricane-laura-forecast-rapid-intensification-texas-louisiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Laura is predicted to make landfall</a> along southwest Louisiana and Texas’ northernmost coastline this evening or early Thursday morning. <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/weather/hurricane/os-ne-tropical-storm-laura-marco-tuesday-update-20200825-odaip74jwrdyjmw5iazos7ut3a-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">States of emergency were declared</a> earlier this week ahead of Hurricane Marco and Laura in Louisiana and Mississippi. On Sunday, August 23, Texas Governor Greg Abbot <a href="https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/DISASTER_Marco_and_Laura_disaster_proclamation_IMAGE_08-23-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">issued Disaster Declarations </a>for 23 Counties ahead of Marco and Laura. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
?️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hurricane?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hurricane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Laura?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Laura</a> has rapidly intensified overnight with max sustained winds of 110 mph as of 4am. Infrared satellite imagery shows an eye beginning to become visible.
Continue to monitor <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHC_Atlantic</a> at <a href="https://t.co/gWlc0oGslO">https://t.co/gWlc0oGslO</a> for the latest information.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOUwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HOUwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TXwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TXwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LAwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LAwx</a> <a href="https://t.co/K2LMqRYoYn">pic.twitter.com/K2LMqRYoYn</a>
— NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSHouston/status/1298560298261995521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSHouston/status/1298560298261995521" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NHC</a>
The NOAA NHC warns that Laura is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, dangerous waves, extreme winds, and flash flooding from San Luis Pass, Texas, to the Mouth of the Mississippi River, causing potential catastrophic damage to the area. NHC reports that storm surge from Hurricane Laura<a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/cyclones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> could travel as much as 30 miles inland.</a> Additionally, Storm Surge Warnings have been issued for Freeport, Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River. A Storm Surge Watch is currently in effect for; the Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs Mississippi; Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana; Lake Maurepas, Louisiana; and Lake Borgne, Louisiana. Voluntary and mandatory <a href="https://abc13.com/houston-evacuations-hurricane-laura-preparations-harris-county-tropical-storm-threat/6387698/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">evacuations are taking</a> place along the <a href="https://www.orlandosentinel.com/weather/hurricane/os-ne-tropical-storm-laura-marco-tuesday-update-20200825-odaip74jwrdyjmw5iazos7ut3a-story.html">coast of Texas</a>. Hagerty encourages its readers to follow state and local directives and prepare ahead of time for potential impacts. Laura is already responsible for <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/weather/laura-gulf-coast-weather-forecast-wednesday/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nine deaths</a> as it moved through the Caribbean earlier this week. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
A life-threatening storm surge is forecast to occur with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Laura?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Laura</a>. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas. This storm surge could penetrate up to 30 miles inland from the immediate coastline in SW Louisiana and far SE Texas. <a href="https://t.co/tZHOksgtrQ">pic.twitter.com/tZHOksgtrQ</a>
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1298551562365579265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1298551562365579265" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NHC </a>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-6567" src="http://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.54.18-AM-1024x525.png" alt="" width="640" height="328" srcset="https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.54.18-AM-1024x525.png 1024w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.54.18-AM-300x154.png 300w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.54.18-AM-768x394.png 768w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.54.18-AM.png 1236w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" />
NOAA Guidance on Storm Surge: <a href="https://twitter.com/NWS/status/1169055334406770689" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>
Federal Emergency declarations have also been approved for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. These declarations help the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to rapidly and efficiently respond when states and individuals need aid after a disaster. They authorize FEMA to provide assistance, including reimbursement for mass care, evacuation and shelter support.
Additionally, FEMA provides guidance to individuals <a href="https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">preparing for, experiencing, or affected by hurricanes</a>. Hurricane Laura brings potential for life-threatening storm surge to many coastal communities. Individuals should heed the warnings of local authorities and prepare for hurricane and severe weather conditions. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6566" src="http://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.53.36-AM.png" alt="" width="978" height="578" srcset="https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.53.36-AM.png 978w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.53.36-AM-300x177.png 300w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-26-at-7.53.36-AM-768x454.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 978px) 100vw, 978px" />
The Ready Campaign: <a href="https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>
<h2>PUBLIC ADVISORIES</h2>
Here’s the breakdown of public advisories from <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NOAA’s NHC</a>:
<h4>HURRICANE WARNING: </h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAOFFNT4.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gulf of Mexico</a></li>
<li>San Luis Pass Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana</li>
</ul>
<h4>TROPICAL STORM WARNING: </h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIAOFFNT4.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gulf of Mexico</a></li>
<li>Sargent Texas to San Luis Pass</li>
<li>East of Intracoastal City Louisiana to the Mouth of the Mississippi River</li>
</ul>
<h4>STORM SURGE WARNING: </h4>
<ul>
<li>Freeport, Texas to the Mouth of the Mississippi River</li>
<li>San Luis Pass, Texas</li>
</ul>
<h4>HURRICANE WATCH: </h4>
<ul>
<li>East of Intracoastal City to west of Morgan City Louisiana</li>
</ul>
<h4>STORM SURGE WATCH: </h4>
<ul>
<li>Mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs Mississippi</li>
<li>Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Lake Borgne, Louisiana</li>
</ul>
<h2></h2>
<h2>RELATED STORIES</h2>
<ul>
<li>Remember, during a storm, it is important to follow the directions of your state and local officials. <a href="https://www.ready.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ready.gov</a> provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe throughout.</li>
<li>Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/29/opinion/hurricane-dorian-forecast-map.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean</a></li>
</ul>
Keep track of Hagerty’s coverage here:
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hagertyconsulting.com/about-us/blog/?_sft_blog_cat=hurricane-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HURRICANE SEASON 2020</a></h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-5707 aligncenter" src="http://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/np_hurricane_1925975_E31836.png" alt="" width="61" height="60" srcset="https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/np_hurricane_1925975_E31836.png 300w, https://hagertystg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/np_hurricane_1925975_E31836-150x150.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 61px) 100vw, 61px" />
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