Storm Laura on Tuesday became a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico with winds blowing at 120 km / h and threatens the U.S. coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Laura is expected to strengthen even further as it approaches the southwest coast of Louisiana and part of Texas on Wednesday, meteorologists said.
The Miami-based NHC has warned of flash floods and flooding in parts of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Laura “should make landfall at least as a Category 3 hurricane. Make sure you are prepared, have what you need and follow the local news to be informed,” tweeted John Bel Edwards, the Governor of Louisiana, Attention: State Residents.
The storm had caused heavy rains and flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where at least 24 people died. In Cuba, it caused material damage, but no deaths.
The Atlantic hurricane season, which officially lasts from June 1 to November 30, promises to be particularly intense this year – the NHC expects 25 lows.