Hurricane Laura: Tropical storm upgraded as it barrels towards Texas and Louisiana

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in coastal states in preparation for landfall

Tropical Storm Laura, that has caused devastation in the Caribbean, has now been upgraded to a hurricane as it barrels towards Texas and Louisiana.

States in the Gulf Coast were hit by Tropical Storm Marco on Monday, but are now having to prepare for the hurricane, which is strengthening on its way to the US.

On Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Centre confirmed that Laura had been upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, after it was recorded moving at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, while over the Gulf of Mexico.

The hurricane is expected to hit the Texas and Louisiana coasts on Wednesday, before it moves in land on Thursday, according to CBS News.

There were concerns in the states that both Marco and Laura would cause devastation within 48 hours of each other, but the former was downgraded to a tropical depression not long after it reached land on Monday.

Following Laura’s progress through the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic and Haiti have together confirmed at least 11 deaths.

Forecasters predict that the Laura will strengthen even more before it hits the US on Wednesday, and could become a Category 3 hurricane with winds up to 115mph.

CBS News weather producer David Parkinson said that the impact will be far-reaching, and added: “Right now, about 17.5 million people are likely to feel the worst impacts of the storm, which include a storm surge higher than a one story home (up to 11 feet) as well as a foot of rain.”

Earlier in the week, Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards told reporters that he worried that “there may not be much of a window” to organise rescue efforts between storms, but now only has to focus on the impact of the hurricane.

After Marco was downgraded on Monday, the governor said: “Our sights are on Laura now. It has the potential to be a major hurricane.”

Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in coastal states, as the hurricane centre said that “preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion” and warned that “this is a life-threatening situation.”

The centre added: “Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.”

Mayor Thurman Bartie of Port Arthur Texas, warned that unless the situation changes, he will ask the city’s 54,000 residents to evacuate, and added: “If you decide to stay, you’re staying on your own.”