Hurricane Laura came ashore from the Gulf of Mexico furiously, and in the middle of the night.

The major hurricane was approaching a category 5 designation for hours, churning over the warm and empowering waters of the Gulf, before targeting Lake Charles, Louisiana directly.  With a storm surge that was expected to reach up to 30 miles inland, the National Hurricane Center was forced to describe the event grimly, calling it “unsurvivable”.

Photos from the aftermath of Laura seem to have confirmed this foretelling of her severity.

Dozens of first responders travel on highways in Texas to help those impacted by #HurricaneLaura.

Trending: Two NFL Teams Forced to Shut Down Operations After COVID Outbreaks

Power outages across Louisiana and Texas climbed to more than half a million customers this morning, as Hurricane Laura battered the coastline. https://t.co/mxUFZQOFoG pic.twitter.com/RroHkyzvVI

take our poll - story continues below

Will You Be Voting In Person November 3rd?

• Will You Be Voting In Person November 3rd?  

• Should the Government be Mandating Masks?*
  • Yes
  • No
  • My State Is Not Allowing In Person Voting
• Email*
• Name
  This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Completing this poll grants you access to Liberty Hub updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

— ABC News (@ABC) August 27, 2020

Before and after #Hurricane #Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana #wx #louisiana #louisianawx #lakecharleslouisiana #wsaz pic.twitter.com/IiAeSgGukk

— Ryan Epling (@WSAZRyanEpling) August 27, 2020

🔊🔊🔊 SOUND UP

Listen to the wind inside this casino in Lake Charles as Hurricane Laura rips across the region with reports of winds over 120 mph! We're live with team coverage as the storm continues to impact the coastline and move inland. #HurricaneLaura #LAwx pic.twitter.com/1KQjuAiuCk

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) August 27, 2020

A few weeks ago, residents of Lake Charles were demanding that a confederate monument at the city court house be removed.

The proposal was rejected.

Hurricane Laura tore it down.
(Photo from FB) pic.twitter.com/p062CufhJV

— KD🌱 (@ineedja_kadeeja) August 27, 2020

Now, a new threat has emerged:

Huge chemical fire just off I-10 in Lake Charles,LA pic.twitter.com/xQ1qcmPZYz

— RadarOmega (@RadarOmega_WX) August 27, 2020

A chemical fire is burning at a facility in Westlake, La., in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

The Biolab, Inc., plant complex makes chlorine for swimming pools. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Press Secretary Greg Langley confirmed the location of the fire for New Orleans Public Radio.

Louisiana State Police confirmed that a hazmat team is responding. The plant is located near where the storm made landfall on Wednesday night.

Officials have not only issued a shelter in place order, but also suggested that residents close their doors and windows as well.

You Might Like