Hurricane Laura joined a growing list of storms to rapidly intensify, in this case straight through landfall. Colorado State University hurricane researcher Philip Klotzbach told the Capital Weather Gang that Hurricane Laura tied for the fastest-intensifying storm on record in the Gulf of Mexico. 150 mph: Laura had exceptional winds for a storm of its pressure, having explosively developed during the 24 hours before landfall. 12 to 21 feet: Peak storm surge based on the National Hurricane Center estimate. Six Category 4+ storms: Laura is the sixth Category 4+ hurricane to hit the United States or its territories since Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.

Source: Washington Post August 28, 2020 18:08 UTC