What You Should Know About Hurricane Laura

Hurricane Laura continues to strengthen ahead of landfall and is headed straight to the Gulf. It's forecast to become a major hurricane before striking the Gulf Coast and is expected to strike upper Texas and Louisiana Coasts as a category 3.

Galveston, Port Author and other Gulf Coast areas were issued a mandatory evacuation order and are required to evacuate today by 3 p.m. Cities under evacuation warnings are encouraged to prepare now for the hurricane to strike.

Below are some additional things you should know about Hurricane Laura at a glance:

• Laura strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday morning in the southern Gulf of Mexico.
• Conditions in the Gulf of Mexico should allow Laura to strengthen significantly.
• Laura is predicted to become a major hurricane prior to landfall on the upper Texas or southwest Louisiana coasts.
• Life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds will affect areas near where Laura makes landfall.
• Laura is also an inland flood risk as far north as Arkansas or southern Missouri.
• Isolated tornadoes are also expected from Laura.

Residents along the upper Texas and southwest Louisiana coasts should prepare now for a hurricane strike. Follow any evacuation orders issued by local or state officials.