Friday, August 28th 2020, 9:38 am - The massive storm is one of the strongest to ever strike that part of the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Though now just a tropical depression, Laura left behind widespread damage, hundreds of thousands of power outages, and at least six reported deaths so far.
As the cleanup continues Friday, there are around 750,000 homes and businesses still without power across Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, according to poweroutage.us. The storm's powerful winds seriously damaged or destroyed numerous structures. The bulk of the outages are in Louisiana.
Among the crises left behind by the storm's passage was a chemical fire at a chlorine plant near Lake Charles, with a plume of smoke visible from highway I-10, which was closed.
🚨 If you are in the Westlake/Moss Bluff/Sulphur area, shelter in place, close your windows and doors and TURN OFF YOUR AIR CONDITIONING UNITS. There is a chemical fire. Stay inside and wait for additional direction from local officials. 🚨
🚨 If you are in the Westlake/Moss Bluff/Sulphur area, shelter in place, close your windows and doors and TURN OFF YOUR AIR CONDITIONING UNITS. There is a chemical fire. Stay inside and wait for additional direction from local officials. 🚨
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) John Bel Edwards on Twitter: "🚨 If you are in the Westlake/Moss Bluff/Sulphur area, shelter in place, close your windows and doors and TURN OFF YOUR AIR CONDITIONING UNITS. There is a chemical fire. Stay inside and wait for additional direction from local officials. 🚨 / Twitter"
Local shelter in place warnings have been issued, and the Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit is working to contain the situation. It's not clear how the fire started, and the plant's employees had been evacuated ahead of the storm.
Across the region, NOLA.com reports some 1,400 oil wells were in the storm's path, though it's not clear how many were damaged by its passage.
Thousands of people were evacuated ahead of the storm, including some 6,500 people in Cameron Parish, the main landfall site, but stage authorities said at least 150 people in the community did not heed evacuation warnings.
LAKE CHARLES: Photos from Ryan Street and nearby after #HurricaneLaura made landfall as a Category 4 storm in southwest Louisiana #lawx. pic.twitter.com/XIGBo5BzaD
LAKE CHARLES: Photos from Ryan Street and nearby after Hilary Scheinuk on Twitter: "LAKE CHARLES: Photos from Ryan Street and nearby after #HurricaneLaura made landfall as a Category 4 storm in southwest Louisiana #lawx. pic.twitter.com/XIGBo5BzaD / Twitter" made landfall as a Category 4 storm in southwest Louisiana Hilary Scheinuk on Twitter: "LAKE CHARLES: Photos from Ryan Street and nearby after #HurricaneLaura made landfall as a Category 4 storm in southwest Louisiana #lawx. pic.twitter.com/XIGBo5BzaD / Twitter". Hilary Scheinuk on Twitter: "LAKE CHARLES: Photos from Ryan Street and nearby after #HurricaneLaura made landfall as a Category 4 storm in southwest Louisiana #lawx. pic.twitter.com/XIGBo5BzaD / Twitter"
— Hilary Scheinuk (@hscheinukphoto) Hilary Scheinuk on Twitter: "LAKE CHARLES: Photos from Ryan Street and nearby after #HurricaneLaura made landfall as a Category 4 storm in southwest Louisiana #lawx. pic.twitter.com/XIGBo5BzaD / Twitter"
The storm made landfall as a high-end Category 4 storm, and though it is now a tropical depression, brought with it a life-threatening storm surge, though was lower than previously feared. According to state officials, the water rose as much as four metres (12 feet), instead of the 6 meteres (20 feet) as was predicted.
Even as the storm moves inland, it generated tornadoes as it went, and more were expected across Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama on Friday.
Below is a selection of some of the storm's impacts from social media.
The Fire Station next to my house was not as lucky as myself and my peppers 🌶 😔 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/r0BNI3T2lq
The Fire Station next to my house was not as lucky as myself and my peppers 🌶 😔 SunJewel on Twitter: "The Fire Station next to my house was not as lucky as myself and my peppers 🌶 😔 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/r0BNI3T2lq / Twitter" SunJewel on Twitter: "The Fire Station next to my house was not as lucky as myself and my peppers 🌶 😔 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/r0BNI3T2lq / Twitter"
— SunJewel (@SunJewelStar) SunJewel on Twitter: "The Fire Station next to my house was not as lucky as myself and my peppers 🌶 😔 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/r0BNI3T2lq / Twitter"
📍Are you affected by #HurricaneLaura? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at unews@univision.net when it's safe. pic.twitter.com/MKbD4zh9zf
📍Are you affected by Univision News on Twitter: "📍Are you affected by #HurricaneLaura? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at unews@univision.net when it's safe. pic.twitter.com/MKbD4zh9zf / Twitter"? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at unews@univision.net when it's safe. Univision News on Twitter: "📍Are you affected by #HurricaneLaura? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at unews@univision.net when it's safe. pic.twitter.com/MKbD4zh9zf / Twitter"
— Univision News (@UnivisionNews) Univision News on Twitter: "📍Are you affected by #HurricaneLaura? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at unews@univision.net when it's safe. pic.twitter.com/MKbD4zh9zf / Twitter"
Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X
Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter" WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter" WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter" WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter" WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter" WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter" WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter"
— WX- Western Washington (@WashingtonWAWX) WX- Western Washington on Twitter: "Before and after of the capital one bank tower in Lake Charles! #HurricanLaura #LakeCharles #Lousiana #hurricane #laura #prayforlouisiana pic.twitter.com/9LYXZENJ7X / Twitter"
Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM
Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by Golf Car Options on Twitter: "Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM / Twitter" Golf Car Options on Twitter: "Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM / Twitter" Golf Car Options on Twitter: "Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM / Twitter" Golf Car Options on Twitter: "Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM / Twitter" Golf Car Options on Twitter: "Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM / Twitter" Golf Car Options on Twitter: "Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM / Twitter"
— Golf Car Options (@GolfCarOptions) Golf Car Options on Twitter: "Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone affected by #hurricanelaura #golfcartcommunity #golfcartfamily #golfcart #staysafe pic.twitter.com/iTGq75xGgM / Twitter"
On La. 82 headed to Creole, La. #HurricaneLaura @ClaireTaylorACA @theadvocateaca pic.twitter.com/JwqgHcTngz
On La. 82 headed to Creole, La. Kristin Askelson on Twitter: "On La. 82 headed to Creole, La. #HurricaneLaura @ClaireTaylorACA @theadvocateaca pic.twitter.com/JwqgHcTngz / Twitter" Kristin Askelson on Twitter: "On La. 82 headed to Creole, La. #HurricaneLaura @ClaireTaylorACA @theadvocateaca pic.twitter.com/JwqgHcTngz / Twitter" Kristin Askelson on Twitter: "On La. 82 headed to Creole, La. #HurricaneLaura @ClaireTaylorACA @theadvocateaca pic.twitter.com/JwqgHcTngz / Twitter" Kristin Askelson on Twitter: "On La. 82 headed to Creole, La. #HurricaneLaura @ClaireTaylorACA @theadvocateaca pic.twitter.com/JwqgHcTngz / Twitter"
— Kristin Askelson (@kaskelson) Kristin Askelson on Twitter: "On La. 82 headed to Creole, La. #HurricaneLaura @ClaireTaylorACA @theadvocateaca pic.twitter.com/JwqgHcTngz / Twitter"
Probably won't be able to get to my house for a few days #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/pO0wzJUJJ5
Probably won’t be able to get to my house for a few days FKA COWBOY on Twitter: "Probably won't be able to get to my house for a few days #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/pO0wzJUJJ5 / Twitter" FKA COWBOY on Twitter: "Probably won't be able to get to my house for a few days #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/pO0wzJUJJ5 / Twitter"
— FKA COWBOY (@_ceaux) FKA COWBOY on Twitter: "Probably won't be able to get to my house for a few days #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/pO0wzJUJJ5 / Twitter"
🚨Los daños en #LakeCharles tras el paso del #HuracanLaura #HurricaneLaura #Louisiane pic.twitter.com/v3KDS1pl2S
🚨Los daños en Carlos Hurtado on Twitter: "🚨Los daños en #LakeCharles tras el paso del #HuracanLaura #HurricaneLaura #Louisiane pic.twitter.com/v3KDS1pl2S / Twitter" tras el paso del Carlos Hurtado on Twitter: "🚨Los daños en #LakeCharles tras el paso del #HuracanLaura #HurricaneLaura #Louisiane pic.twitter.com/v3KDS1pl2S / Twitter" Carlos Hurtado on Twitter: "🚨Los daños en #LakeCharles tras el paso del #HuracanLaura #HurricaneLaura #Louisiane pic.twitter.com/v3KDS1pl2S / Twitter" Carlos Hurtado on Twitter: "🚨Los daños en #LakeCharles tras el paso del #HuracanLaura #HurricaneLaura #Louisiane pic.twitter.com/v3KDS1pl2S / Twitter" Carlos Hurtado on Twitter: "🚨Los daños en #LakeCharles tras el paso del #HuracanLaura #HurricaneLaura #Louisiane pic.twitter.com/v3KDS1pl2S / Twitter"
— Carlos Hurtado (@Carlos1Hurtado) Carlos Hurtado on Twitter: "🚨Los daños en #LakeCharles tras el paso del #HuracanLaura #HurricaneLaura #Louisiane pic.twitter.com/v3KDS1pl2S / Twitter"
Just heard that the Isle if Capri casino in Lake Charles broke free if it's moorings and us stuck under the I-10 bridge. #casino #Laura #HurricaneLaura @IsleOfCapriLC pic.twitter.com/puM1bZ9FEc
Just heard that the Isle if Capri casino in Lake Charles broke free if it’s moorings and us stuck under the I-10 bridge. Suzanne P. Leckert on Twitter: "Just heard that the Isle if Capri casino in Lake Charles broke free if it's moorings and us stuck under the I-10 bridge. #casino #Laura #HurricaneLaura @IsleOfCapriLC pic.twitter.com/puM1bZ9FEc / Twitter" Suzanne P. Leckert on Twitter: "Just heard that the Isle if Capri casino in Lake Charles broke free if it's moorings and us stuck under the I-10 bridge. #casino #Laura #HurricaneLaura @IsleOfCapriLC pic.twitter.com/puM1bZ9FEc / Twitter" Suzanne P. Leckert on Twitter: "Just heard that the Isle if Capri casino in Lake Charles broke free if it's moorings and us stuck under the I-10 bridge. #casino #Laura #HurricaneLaura @IsleOfCapriLC pic.twitter.com/puM1bZ9FEc / Twitter" @IsleOfCapriLC Suzanne P. Leckert on Twitter: "Just heard that the Isle if Capri casino in Lake Charles broke free if it's moorings and us stuck under the I-10 bridge. #casino #Laura #HurricaneLaura @IsleOfCapriLC pic.twitter.com/puM1bZ9FEc / Twitter"
— Suzanne P. Leckert (@SuzanneLeckert) Suzanne P. Leckert on Twitter: "Just heard that the Isle if Capri casino in Lake Charles broke free if it's moorings and us stuck under the I-10 bridge. #casino #Laura #HurricaneLaura @IsleOfCapriLC pic.twitter.com/puM1bZ9FEc / Twitter"
I'm in #LakeArthur now checking in on the damage #HurricaneLaura left behind. Take a look at this massive tree that has been completely uprooted. pic.twitter.com/BJnsXaqfG2
I’m in Hunter Davis on Twitter: "I'm in #LakeArthur now checking in on the damage #HurricaneLaura left behind. Take a look at this massive tree that has been completely uprooted. pic.twitter.com/BJnsXaqfG2 / Twitter" now checking in on the damage Hunter Davis on Twitter: "I'm in #LakeArthur now checking in on the damage #HurricaneLaura left behind. Take a look at this massive tree that has been completely uprooted. pic.twitter.com/BJnsXaqfG2 / Twitter" left behind.
— Hunter Davis (@HunterDavisNews) Hunter Davis on Twitter: "I'm in #LakeArthur now checking in on the damage #HurricaneLaura left behind. Take a look at this massive tree that has been completely uprooted. pic.twitter.com/BJnsXaqfG2 / Twitter"
Take a look at this massive tree that has been completely uprooted. Hunter Davis on Twitter: "I'm in #LakeArthur now checking in on the damage #HurricaneLaura left behind. Take a look at this massive tree that has been completely uprooted. pic.twitter.com/BJnsXaqfG2 / Twitter"
Any chainsaw companies want to help me out with this. I need something 😭 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/ENBxnxnq1C
Any chainsaw companies want to help me out with this. I need something 😭 Drunken Jedi Master on Twitter: "Any chainsaw companies want to help me out with this. I need something 😭 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/ENBxnxnq1C / Twitter" Drunken Jedi Master on Twitter: "Any chainsaw companies want to help me out with this. I need something 😭 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/ENBxnxnq1C / Twitter"
— Drunken Jedi Master (@RickyWebre) Drunken Jedi Master on Twitter: "Any chainsaw companies want to help me out with this. I need something 😭 #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/ENBxnxnq1C / Twitter"
Soldiers in Louisiana and Texas have mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Laura. Regardless of hurricane direction, more than 3,000 #NationalGuard members are ready to assist by water, land, & air to make sure that their community is safe and taken care of. #HurricaneLaura2020 pic.twitter.com/S8VHvthYZl
Soldiers in Louisiana and Texas have mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Laura. Regardless of hurricane direction, more than 3,000 National Guard on Twitter: "Soldiers in Louisiana and Texas have mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Laura. Regardless of hurricane direction, more than 3,000 #NationalGuard members are ready to assist by water, land, & air to make sure that their community is safe and taken care of. #HurricaneLaura2020 pic.twitter.com/S8VHvthYZl / Twitter" members are ready to assist by water, land, & air to make sure that their community is safe and taken care of. National Guard on Twitter: "Soldiers in Louisiana and Texas have mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Laura. Regardless of hurricane direction, more than 3,000 #NationalGuard members are ready to assist by water, land, & air to make sure that their community is safe and taken care of. #HurricaneLaura2020 pic.twitter.com/S8VHvthYZl / Twitter" National Guard on Twitter: "Soldiers in Louisiana and Texas have mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Laura. Regardless of hurricane direction, more than 3,000 #NationalGuard members are ready to assist by water, land, & air to make sure that their community is safe and taken care of. #HurricaneLaura2020 pic.twitter.com/S8VHvthYZl / Twitter"
— National Guard (@NationalGuard) National Guard on Twitter: "Soldiers in Louisiana and Texas have mobilized in preparation for Hurricane Laura. Regardless of hurricane direction, more than 3,000 #NationalGuard members are ready to assist by water, land, & air to make sure that their community is safe and taken care of. #HurricaneLaura2020 pic.twitter.com/S8VHvthYZl / Twitter"
BREAKING The first US fatality from Hurricane Laura was a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree fell on her home in Louisiana. https://t.co/ph7FZxH91c pic.twitter.com/Rv4oLfDMNq
25NewsKXXV on Twitter: "#BREAKING The first US fatality from Hurricane Laura was a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree fell on her home in Louisiana. https://t.co/ph7FZxH91c pic.twitter.com/Rv4oLfDMNq / Twitter" The first US fatality from Hurricane Laura was a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree fell on her home in Louisiana. 25NewsKXXV on Twitter: "#BREAKING The first US fatality from Hurricane Laura was a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree fell on her home in Louisiana. https://t.co/ph7FZxH91c pic.twitter.com/Rv4oLfDMNq / Twitter" 25NewsKXXV on Twitter: "#BREAKING The first US fatality from Hurricane Laura was a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree fell on her home in Louisiana. https://t.co/ph7FZxH91c pic.twitter.com/Rv4oLfDMNq / Twitter"
— 25NewsKXXV (@25NewsKXXV) 25NewsKXXV on Twitter: "#BREAKING The first US fatality from Hurricane Laura was a 14-year-old girl who died when a tree fell on her home in Louisiana. https://t.co/ph7FZxH91c pic.twitter.com/Rv4oLfDMNq / Twitter"
Thumbnail courtesy of CNN.
