Hurricane Laura expected to make landfall in Texas. Here's what we know

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The National Hurricane Center is predicting Hurricane Laura will closely follow the path Hurricane Rita took in 2005. Wochit

Forecasters fear Hurricane Laura could deliver a serious blow to Louisiana and Texas when it makes landfall. 

Hurricane Laura, spinning in the Gulf of Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and even higher gusts, could still undergo what’s known as “rapid intensification” before it hits land late Wednesday or early Thursday along the Gulf Coast, potentially as a potent Category 3 storm with winds of 115 mph.

“The conditions ahead of Laura do favor rapid intensification,” University of Miami researcher Brian McNoldy said. 

The phenomenon is typically defined to be a tropical cyclone intensifying by at least 35 mph in a 24-hour period, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach.

When will Hurricane Laura make landfall?

Hurricane Laura is expected to approach the upper Texas and southwest Louisiana coasts on Wednesday evening and move inland near those areas either Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

Currently, Hurricane Laura is moving toward the west-northwest at speeds of about 17 mph.

Storm surge watches and warnings

According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center posted at 10 p.m. CDT, a storm surge warning is in effect for San Luis Pass Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

A storm surge watch is in effect for Freeport Texas to San Luis Pass, the mouth of the Mississippi River to Ocean Springs Mississippi, as well as for Lakes Pontchartrain, Maurepas and Borgne.

A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising or moving water moving inland from the coastline. The warning is expected to last for the next 36 hours at the locations indicated.

The storm surge watch will impact the indicated locations for the next 48 hours.

Hurricane watches and warnings

A hurricane warning is in effect for San Luis Pass Texas to Intracoastal City Louisiana.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the area east of Intracoastal City to the area west of Morgan City Louisiana.

A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are to be expected somewhere within the warning area specified. the NHC’s advisory states that preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion at this time.

Hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the designated watch area.

Where is Hurricane Laura now?

The map below tracks Hurricane Laura in live time Here’s where the storms are right now.

Tropical Storm Marco makes landfall Monday

Marco made it’s way toward the Louisiana coast making landfall as a tropical storm near the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Marco gradually weakened to a tropical depression and is predicted to become a remnant low Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Laura is expected to be a much more intense storm by comparison.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik. 

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