Marco strengthens to a hurricane as it takes aim at Louisiana; Tropical Storm Laura's track shifts more to the west

HOUSTON — Marco has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane and is taking aim towards the Lousiana coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

On Sunday morning, the track for Marco moved slightly to the west, with a significant impact expected for New Orleans Monday. 

Life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast. Currently, Marco has maximum sustained winds of 75 miles an hour. 

Meanwhile, Laura has shifted a little to the west and more of Houston is in the cone. The center of the cone is on the Louisiana-Texas border. We will have to watch this storm very closely as it moves into the Gulf and gains strength. 

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Below are updates on both of the storms.

The National Hurricane Center moved the forecast cone for Tropical Storm Laura slightly to the west, continuing pattern over the last few updates. Houston is in the forecast cone, so we’ll need to watch this one very closely.  The center of the cone is over the Louisiana-Texas border as it’s expected to make landfall as a Category 2 storm.  

There is an increasing risk of storm surge, rainfall, and wind impacts along portions of the U.S. Gulf coast by the middle of the week.    

Tropical Storm Laura is moving through Hispaniola and will move towards the Gulf today through Tuesday, where it’ll start to strengthen and become more organized.  

Right now, Laura is 70 miles southeast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It has maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour and is moving to the west-northwest at 21 miles per hour. 

The storm is bringing life-threatening flooding to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  

No significant changes in strength are forecast in the next 36 to 48 hours while Laura moves over Hispaniola and Cuba, but the National Hurricane Center says some strengthening could occur Monday night or Tuesday once it’s in the Gulf..

Tropical-storm-force winds are have been extending up to 140 miles outward from Laura’s center.

There’s still a lot of uncertainty in the track and intensity

Intensity if the least predictable factor of tropical weather and Laura could be significantly stronger, even possibly a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico by early this week.

The center of the forecast cone for Hurricane Marco shifted slightly to the west, still taking the storm into eastern Louisiana, with a projected landfall Monday as a Category 1 hurricane. 

Weather conditions are expected to begin deteriorating along the central Gulf coast early Monday morning.

Right now, Marco is 325 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  It has maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour and is moving to the north-northwest at 14 miles per hour.

A hurricane warning has been issued for the coast of Louisiana from Morgan City to the Mouth of the Pearl River.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect from Morgan City, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, including Lake Borgne, where Marco could bring four to six feet of inundation above ground level.

There is a risk of flash flooding from across southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and southern Alabama on Monday and Tuesday. Up to six inches of rain is possible in some areas. 

A tropical storm warning has been issued for Louisiana for Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and Metropolitan New Orleans

In a year that’s seen everything from a global pandemic to murder hornets, now we have a possibility of not one but two hurricanes in Gulf waters at the same time.  Tropical Depression 13 was the first to become a named storm as Laura on Friday morning. Tropical Depression 14 became Tropical Storm Marco Friday night.  Could they merge in the Gulf?  It’s possible. But not likely. Here’s what to know about the Fujiwhara Effect.

It’s way too early to know the exact intensity and track these two systems will take. Regardless, we’re in a very active hurricane season, so it’s a good idea to know what you’ll need if a storm was approaching.

Here is a list of important items you should have at home or take with you if you evacuate:

• Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3-7 days; also fill bathtub and other containers; Gator Aid is good to fend off dehydration
• Food – at least enough for 3-7 days; non-perishable packaged or canned food; juices; foods for infants or elderly family members; snack foods; food for special diets
• Non-electric can opener
• Cooking tools, fuel
• Paper plates and cups, plastic utensils
• Bedding: Blankets, Pillows, etc.
• Clothing
• Rain gear
• Sturdy shoes
• First Aid Kit, Medicines, Prescription Drugs
• Toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags
• Toiletries, hand sanitizer, hygiene items, moisture wipes, dry shampoo
• Flashlight, batteries, lantern
• Radio: Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
• Telephones: Fully charged cell phone with extra battery; chargers; traditional (not cordless) telephone set
• Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards: Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
• Important documents: Place in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag: Should include insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, prescriptions, etc.
• Tools: Keep a set with you during the storm
• Gas: Fill up your vehicles several days before landfall is expected; Gas stations could lose power during a storm and supply trucks may not be able to reach the area
• Pet care items: Proper identification, immunization records, medications, ample supply of food and water; a carrier or cage; muzzle and/ or leash
• Bleach without lemon or any other additives
• Fire extinguisher
• Mosquito repellent
• Keys
• Toys, books and games for children
• Duct tape
• Cell Phone charging stations – locations where you can charge mobile devices