Marco brings more rain, but Laura promises to be a category 2 hurricane 3:16
(CNN) - The Gulf Coast avoided a powerful storm when Marco weakened, but Tropical Storm Laura will become a major hurricane on its way to the United States.
Laura had 105 km / h winds overnight when it impacted western Cuba as a tropical storm, but is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday when it moves west northwest at 32 km / h.
Marco has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone with 30 mph winds. It is forecast to dissipate completely this afternoon. This will be the last advisory that the National Hurricane Center will issue for this system. It made landfall around 6 p.m. CDT near the mouth of the Mississippi River as a tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center said.
But still on its way to hit the Gulf Coast this week is Tropical Storm Laura, which has already killed at least nine people in the Caribbean and is expected to become a hurricane before making landfall in the United States on Wednesday night. or early Thursday morning.
Tropical Storm Laura in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Laura could become a Category 3 hurricane - hurricane winds of at least 178 km / hr - before it makes landfall, possibly off the coast of Louisiana or Texas.
The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch and a storm surge watch Monday afternoon for parts of Texas and Louisiana, forecasting that water could rise 2 to 3 meters along parts of the coast.
The hurricane watch extends from Port Bolivar, Texas, to west of Morgan City, Louisiana. Storm surge alerts cover an even larger area, from San Luis Pass, Texas, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Laura has been gaining strength in the warm waters of the Caribbean.
Marco and Laura will flood many of the same places
On landfall, Marco's maximum sustained winds were 40 mph, "making Marco a minimal tropical storm," according to CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward.
Some parts of the Gulf Coast could receive at least 18 centimeters of rain.
"It's also worth noting that many of the same places that get rain from Marco will also get rain from Laura," said CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar.
Laura could dump torrential rains from East Texas to Mississippi.
"Even on Mondays and Tuesdays, in Key West, Miami, you'll get some of those outer bands from Laura that will produce very heavy rain and very gusty winds," Chinchar said.
LOOK : Louisiana and Texas issue a hurricane alert on their coasts in the face of the threat of tropical storm Laura
'Prepare now'
If conditions are right for both Marco and Laura to make landfall, the effects could affect power restoration or rescue efforts, as "there may not be much window" between the two storms, Louisiana Gov. John said. Bel Edwards.
Mandatory evacuation was ordered Monday night for Jefferson County, Texas, which includes Beaumont and Port Arthur. It goes into effect at 6:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, as ordered by a county judge.
Mandatory evacuations were issued Sunday for Plaquemines Parish and Grand Isle in Louisiana.
The Red Cross has provided relief supplies and more than 400 disaster workers are ready to provide emergency shelter, the organization said. More than a dozen shelter teams are in Baton Rouge.
“We urge people along the Gulf Coast to prepare now; listen to the advice of local officials and evacuate immediately if asked, ”the Red Cross said in a statement.
Be sure to include your pets as part of your emergency plan. Due to covid-19, the Red Cross cannot receive pets in our shelters for everyone's safety. If you are evacuating with pets, consider contacting the Red Rover organization: redrover.org.
Laura claims the lives of a rescuer and a child
Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the passage of Tropical Storm Laura.
At least nine people have died in the Caribbean, including several in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, due to Laura.
The victims include a 7-year-old boy who died along with his mother after a wall collapsed at their home in the Dominican Republic. Another person died after a tree fell on a house.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said an army corporal was killed while helping with rescue efforts in Pedernales province.
Five people died in Haiti, including a 10-year-old girl, the country's civil protection agency said.
America braces for shock
Workers seal windows in New Orleans' French Quarter ahead of storms Marco and Laura.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has requested a federal emergency declaration for 23 counties.
As New Orleans braced for the storms, Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the Hard Rock Hotel site, which collapsed during construction in October last year, remains a public safety risk due to the building's instability. Cantrell said. Three people died and dozens were injured during the collapse. It took about 10 months to recover two of the bodies due to the instability of the structure.
Long lines formed outside grocery stores in Louisiana as residents prepared for Marco and Laura.
Stacie Osborn said it took her 30 minutes to get through the pay line at a market in New Orleans.
"I stocked up on enough food for the week, extra water, and put gas in my car just in case," he said.
John Snow in Baton Rouge said the line at his local Costco circled the building just 10 minutes after opening.
“It ended up taking 20-25 minutes to get to the store, which was not ideal in the Louisiana heat and the masks on. But it wasn't terrible, ”she said.
As always, we hope for the best, but we plan for the worst.
CNN's Amanda Jackson, Dakin Andone, and Carma Hassan contributed to this report.
Tropical Storm Laura