(CNN) After battering western Cuba as a tropical storm, Laura has strengthened into a hurricane in the Gulf Coast and is expected to grow even stronger as it heads toward Texas and Louisiana. A hurricane warning has been issued for portions of the Texas and Louisiana coastline, according to the National Hurricane Center . The warning, an upgrade from the earlier hurricane watch, stretches from San Luis Pass, Texas, through Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Laura's impending arrival comes as the Gulf Coast avoided a powerful storm in Marco , which significantly weakened before reaching the US. As a Tropical Storm, Laura killed at least nine people in the Caribbean.

Source: CNN August 25, 2020 07:00 UTC