Hurricane Marco was labeled Category 1 when it surged towards Louisiana. Now, another complication excited the urgency, as Laura, another storm that is predicted as more powerful, may trail Marco and affect the same coastal areas less than two days behind Marco.
Paul Humphrey, of New Orleans, loads plywood into his truck, to board a friend's home in preparation for the arrival of hurricanes Marco and Laura, which are forecasted to move onshore Monday and Thursday, at Lowe's in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., August 23, 2020. REUTERS/Kathleen Flynn
Preparations
Officials warned locals last Sunday to go to higher ground while ensuring they had enough food and other supplies stocked. In a briefing, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards advised people to prepare to ride out the two storms, saying they could be stuck in place for up to three days.
He added that Laura, the second storm looming, can immobilize rescue and search efforts and cause the electricity to delay from returning.
The possibility of two storms in close succession caused heightened alarm. According to meteorologists, this is a rare occurrence with possibly no more than two similar events within the last one hundred years.
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Forecasts
Marco expected to arrive in the southeastern region early on Monday with the strength of a hurricane Category 1, progressively getting weaker as it passes Louisiana's coast and goes to eastern Texas.
Afterward, meteorologists say Laura could make landfall with a Category 2 strength storm near Louisiana and Texas's border, with its center arriving on early Thursday. Laura is expected to turn into a hurricane on late Tuesday.
The Combined Force of 2 Storms
Meteorologists warn of possible storm surges along Mississippi River's banks. For Marco, it could be 3 to 6 feet, while Laura may cause 7 to 10-foot swells. Louisiana is expected to experience 5 to 10 inches rain from the two storms.
Two simultaneous Gulf hurricanes have not been known to occur before, said the NOAA or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service. The current two storms are also feared that they might merge and become one monster storm.
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Evacuations
Evacuations were ordered mandatory in many Louisiana coastal communities, as authorities implored locals in the lower areas to get to safer areas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott also declared Sunday a state of emergency in 23 Texas counties, adding that they are preparing for Laura to upgrade into a storm Category 3 possibly.
Mandatory evacuations have been declared in Jefferson, Plaquemines, Lafourche, and parishes. They have low-lying and remote areas along their coasts. Low areas in Iberia have also been asked to start the evacuation, particularly in flood-prone places and areas near lakes, drainage structures, and bayous.
Larry Richard, parish president, says that residents who won't leave may experience loss of power and be stuck in storm debris and floodwaters.
Lafayette mayor Josh Guillory says that frontliners in health, emergency response, and law enforcement will focus on keeping the parish and city safe.
Complicating the Pandemic
These storms complicate the coronavirus pandemic problem, as Louisiana is one of the early outbreak hotspots. It also counts among areas with the highest cases and mortalities, debilitating the state's economy.
The pandemic caused fearful residents to stay put and attempt to balance the dangers of the virus and the two storms. None of those inside nursing homes want to evacuate.
More than 200 Louisiana ambulances are on standby in the region, and even more, are available to try to mitigate the effects of Hurricane Marco and Laura.
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