Hurricane Laura: Wind, rain pummel coasts of Louisiana, Texas as ferocious storm makes landfall

Hurricane Laura: Wind, rain pummel coasts of Louisiana, Texas as ferocious storm makes landfall

The storm's power is raising fears of a 20-foot storm surge that forecasters say would be “unsurvivable” and capable of sinking entire communities on the Texas and Louisiana coast.

The storm's power is raising fears of a 20-foot storm surge that forecasters say would be “unsurvivable” and capable of sinking entire communities on the Texas and Louisiana coast.

All hands on deck: Linemen, Cajun Navy volunteers prepare to assist as Hurricane Laura bears down

All hands on deck: Linemen, Cajun Navy volunteers prepare to assist as Hurricane Laura bears down

Hundreds of volunteers, from linemen to boat crews to chainsaw crews, were assisting local governments and first responders to prepare to provide relief in the wake of the hurricane’s destruction.

Hundreds of volunteers, from linemen to boat crews to chainsaw crews, were assisting local governments and first responders to prepare to provide relief in the wake of the hurricane’s destruction.

Hurricane Laura moving inland over Louisiana after making landfall as Cat 4

Hurricane Laura moving inland over Louisiana after making landfall as Cat 4

Hurricane Laura made landfall and brings unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves that will cause catastrophic damage from Sea Rim State Park, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana.

Hurricane Laura made landfall and brings unsurvivable storm surge with large and destructive waves that will cause catastrophic damage from Sea Rim State Park, Texas, to Intracoastal City, Louisiana.

Another hot, humid day with isolated storms possible late Tuesday night
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Another hot, humid day with isolated storms possible late Tuesday night

It will be another hot and humid day on Tuesday with isolated storms possible late Tuesday night into overnight with threats of hail and damaging winds.

It will be another hot and humid day on Tuesday with isolated storms possible late Tuesday night into overnight with threats of hail and damaging winds.

Hurricane Laura forces hundreds of thousands to evacuate Gulf Coast

Hurricane Laura forces hundreds of thousands to evacuate Gulf Coast

More than 385,000 residents were told to flee the Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur, and another 200,000 were ordered to leave low-lying Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana, where forecasters said as much as 13 feet (3.96 meters) of storm surge topped by waves could submerge whole communities.

More than 385,000 residents were told to flee the Texas cities of Beaumont, Galveston and Port Arthur, and another 200,000 were ordered to leave low-lying Calcasieu Parish in southwestern Louisiana, where forecasters said as much as 13 feet (3.96 meters) of storm surge topped by waves could submerge whole communities.

Hurricane Laura forms; projected to strengthen before Gulf Coast landfall

Hurricane Laura forms; projected to strengthen before Gulf Coast landfall

Laura became a hurricane on Tuesday morning as it entered the warm and deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, gathering strength on a path to hit the U.S. coastline early Thursday as a major hurricane that could unleash a surge of seawater higher than a basketball hoop and swamp entire towns.

Laura became a hurricane on Tuesday morning as it entered the warm and deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, gathering strength on a path to hit the U.S. coastline early Thursday as a major hurricane that could unleash a surge of seawater higher than a basketball hoop and swamp entire towns.

Could there be two hurricanes in the Gulf? If so, it would be a first

Could there be two hurricanes in the Gulf? If so, it would be a first

With a new tropical storm and a tropical depression aiming for the U.S., forecasters say both could be swirling in the Gulf of Mexico as hurricanes next week.  

With a new tropical storm and a tropical depression aiming for the U.S., forecasters say both could be swirling in the Gulf of Mexico as hurricanes next week.  

Tropical Storm Laura forms; still forecast to enter Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Laura forms; still forecast to enter Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm Laura officially formed after Hurricane Hunters found 45-mph winds and a center of circulation. It's the 11th named storm of the season, and also the earliest "L" name storm on record.

Tropical Storm Laura officially formed after Hurricane Hunters found 45-mph winds and a center of circulation. It's the 11th named storm of the season, and also the earliest "L" name storm on record.

Minnesota Red Cross volunteers helping with Iowa derecho relief efforts

Minnesota Red Cross volunteers helping with Iowa derecho relief efforts

A group of Minnesotans are among the Red Cross volunteers helping with relief efforts following the destructive derecho that hit central Iowa last week.

A group of Minnesotans are among the Red Cross volunteers helping with relief efforts following the destructive derecho that hit central Iowa last week.

Tuesday's forecast: A lot of sun and very pleasant
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Tuesday's forecast: A lot of sun and very pleasant

Today's highs in the upper 70s. Temps start to rise Wednesday and Thursday looks to be a hot one.

Today's highs in the upper 70s. Temps start to rise Wednesday and Thursday looks to be a hot one.