2:45pm CDT Wednesday: Laura Will Probably Be a Cat 5

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Satellite image from 2:26pm shows lightning (colored symbols) in the east eyewall. By itself, that is an indication of strengthening.

At the same time, the Hurricane Hunters have found the pressure in the eye has dropped another 5 millibars, also a sign of strengthening.


So, I have come to the highly reluctant conclusion that Hurricane Laura will be a Cat 5 at landfall. Absolutely catastrophic damage will occur in the immediate vicinity of the eye and about 25 mi. east of the eye.

 If you haven't gotten out, do it now! We are already getting reports of people trapped near the coast. Time has about run out. 
If you are in an evacuation area, get it done immediately. NOW!!
  • Make a hotel/motel reservation well inland. There is no point to getting on the road and finding everything already sold out. Be sure and cancel if you do not need the room.
  • Make provisions for infirm friends/relatives. 
  • Visit the ATM to make sure you have adequate cash for a week on the road. 
  • Put an app like AccuWeather's on your smartphone. It will keep track of your location and automatically provide the latest emergency warnings as you are on the go. 
  • Your "Go-Kit" should include at least two masks per person, soap, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and, if available, disinfectant spray. Have clothes for at least a week. No one cares how stylish you are. If you are at a pharmacy, pick up some surgical gloves and, if you don't have them, work gloves. 
  • Fill your car with fuel. I still recommend a road atlas or map in addition to whatever navigation system you might have. 
  • Make sure you laptop and smartphone are fully charged. Don't do unnecessary things to preserve the charge. 
  • Consider taking your passport or putting it in your safe deposit box. If the worst happens, you'll need it to prove identity for disaster documents. It will be difficult to recover in a ruined home.
  • Take at least two large bottles of water for each family member along with protein bars or other easy-to-carry food. 
  • Put your insurance documents in your safe deposit box or take them with you. This will facilitate filing a claim if you have serious property damage. 

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