THE STORM SURGE UP TO 20 FEET 
DESCRIBED AS UNSURVIVABLE, 
TRAVELING UP TO 30 MILES INLAND.
>> MORE THAN 15 INCHES OF RAIN.
THIS MORNING THE DAMAGE, THE 
DESTRUCTION, THE EVACUATIONS AND
HOW THE PANDEMIC IS IMPACTING 
THE RESPONSE.
WE'RE LIVE ACROSS THE STORM ZONE
RIGHT NOW.
>> ALSO THIS MORNING BREAKING 
NEWS FROM KENOSHA, WISCONSIN.
NIGHT FOUR OF PROTESTS OVER THE 
POLICE SHOOTING OF JACOB BLAKE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYING FEDERAL 
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE NATIONAL
GUARD ARE NOW BEING DEPLOYED.
AUTHORITIES REVEALING THE 
IDENTIFY OF THE OFFICER THEY SAY
SHOT BLAKE SEVEN TIMES AND NOW 
DETAILS ABOUT WHAT LED UP TO THE
SHOOTING. 
>>> THE SPORTS WORLD UNITING THE
PROTEST. 
>> THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTION.
OUR FOCUS TODAY CANNOT BE ON 
BASKETBALL. 
>> THE NBA POSTPONING ALL GAMES 
AND OTHER ATHLETES ALSO WALKING 
OUT.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
>>> PENCE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, THE 
VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO 
AMERICA AT THE REPUBLICAN 
NATIONAL CONVENTION MAKING HIS 
CASE FOR FOUR MORE YEARS. 
>> THIS AS THE TRUMP 
ADMINISTRATION COMES UNDER 
SCRUTINY, ACCUSED OF PRESSURING 
THE CDC TO CHANGE CORONAVIRUS 
TESTING GUIDELINES.
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI NOT SIGNING 
OFF.
THE NEW DETAILS THIS MORNING.
>>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 
JOINING US THIS MORNING.
WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE 
BREAKING NEWS.
HURRICANE LAURA BEARING DOWN ON 
THE GULF COAST TRIGGERING A 
DANGEROUS STORM SURGE.
FORECASTERS ARE DESCRIBING IT AS
UNSURVIVABLE.
IT'S CAPABLE OF LEAVING ENTIRE 
COMMUNITIES UNDER WATER IN PARTS
OF TEXAS AND LOUISIANA.
LET'S BEGIN WITH ABC NEWS 
METROLOGIST WHO IS TRACKING IT 
ALL FOR US RIGHT NOW.
TELL US THE LATEST, GREG. 
>> AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL 
CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 4 
HURRICANE MAKING LANDFALL RIGHT 
ON THE TEXAS AND LOUISIANA 
BORDER.
TAKING A CLOSE VIEW OF THIS, 
LOOK HOW WIDE THIS EYE IS, 30 
MILES ACROSS AT THIS POINT AND 
MOVING INTO CAMERON.
THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE ROUTE 
THAT RITA TOOK BACK IN 2005, 15 
YEARS AGO.
BUT WITH MORE STRENGTH, WITH 
HIGHER WINDS.
YOU SEE THIS BIG AREA SHADED IN 
THIS FUCHSIA COLOR THAT EXTENDS 
PAST LAKE CHARLES WHICH IS MORE 
THAN 40 MILES INLAND, THAT'S AN 
EXTREME WIND ADVISORY.
LAST TIME I SAW ONE OF THESE WAS
HURRICANE MICHAEL.
A LOOK AT THE WIND SPEEDS, WE 
HAVE 71 MILES PER HOUR IN LAKE 
CHARLES.
THAT IS 30 MILES INLAND, WELL 
AWAY FROM THE STRONGEST WINDS.
CAMERON WHICH IS RIGHT ALONG THE
COAST HAS SEEN A GUST OF 115 
MILES PER HOUR AND THOSE 
EXTREMELY STRONG WINDS ARE 
HEADED ON IN.
RIGHT HERE, THERE ARE TORNADO 
WARNINGS IN EFFECT AS THESE 
BANDS SPIN INLAND, THEY'RE GOING
TO SPIN UP TORNADOS.
YOU HAVE MANY THREATS GOING ON.
YOU HAVE THE HEAVY RAINFALL, THE
HIGH WINDS, THE HIGH STORM SURGE
OF UP TO 20 FEET INNEN DATING 
THE COAST OF LOUISIANA.
10 TO 20 FEET IS WHAT WE'RE 
SEEING THERE.
AS WE TRACK THIS NORTH, WITHIN 
THE NEXT HOUR IS WHEN WE WILL 
SEE LANDFALL, PROBABLY WITHIN 
THE NEXT 30 TO 45 MINUTES, 
OFFICIAL LANDFALL IS HAPPEN.
IT'S STILL A CATEGORY 2 STORM.
IT GETS PICKED UP BY THE JET 
STREAM AND EJECTED THROUGH THE 
MID-ATLANTIC.
IN TERMS OF RAINFALL, 10 INCHES 
TO OVER A FOOT OF RAIN WILL 
HAPPEN ALONG THE LAKE CHARLES 
AREA, THAT ON TOP OF THE 10 TO 
20 FOOT STORM SURGE AND THE 
RAINFALLS EXTEND UP INTO 
PORTIONS OF THE SOUTH.
GOING THROUGH THE NEXT 24 HOURS,
WHEN THE SUN DOES COME UP, WE'RE
GOING TO SEE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WATCH
THOSE WIND SPEEDS AND GIVE YOU 
THE LATEST ON WHEN THIS MAKES 
LANDFALL AS WE CONTINUE TO TRACK
HURRICANE LAURA.
BACK TO YOU. 
>> YOU'RE GOING TO BE WITH US 
THROUGHOUT THE MORNING.
WE WILL CHECK BACK WITH YOU IN 
JUST A FEW MINUTES.
LAURA IS NOW PLOWING THROUGH 
COAS
COASTAL TEXAS AND LOUISIANA, BUT
DAMAGE COULD EXTEND FAR INLAND. 
>> HERE'S THE LATEST LIVE FROM 
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA.
GOOD MORNING.
>> Reporter: GOOD MORNING.
FORECASTERS ARE WARNING THAT 
STORM SURGE LEVELS AS HIGH AS 20
FEET COULD BE UNSURVIVABLE AND 
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE 
IN PARTS OF TEXAS AND LOUISIANA.
THE TIME TO GET OUT OF LAURA'S 
PATH IS NOW OVER.
>> THE RAIN HAS STARTED TO COME 
DOWN PRETTY FIERCELY AND THIS IS
JUST THE BEGINNING. 
>> Reporter: STORM SURGE ALERTS 
ALONG THE GULF COAST EXTENDS FOR
OVER 400 MILES. 
>> WE'RE BRACING FOR A CHALLENGE
AFTER WE SEE THIS EXTREMELY 
DESTRUCTIVE STORM COME THROUGH. 
>> Reporter: IN LOUISIANA, THE 
ENTIRE NATIONAL GUARD ON ALERT 
AND ACTIVATED.
OFFICIALS WARNING STAYING PUT 
COULD PROVE DEADLY. 
>> IF YOU THINK YOU'RE SAFE 
BECAUSE YOU MADE IT THROUGH RITA
IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA, 
UNDERSTAND THIS STORM IS GOING 
TO BE MORE POWERFUL.
>> Reporter: LAURA BARRELLING 
THE SHORE IN THE MIDDLE OF A 
PANDEMIC.
IN THE SAME AREAS WHERE THERE 
WERE MORE THAN 300,000 CASES OF 
COVID-19.
>> DON'T WANT TO BE IN A 
SHELTER.
DON'T WANT TO BE INFECTED.
DON'T WANT TO INFECT ANYBODY. 
>> Reporter: IN PLACES UNDER 
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS, LARGE 
SHELTERS COULD SEE LIMITED 
CAPACITY DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.
>> WE HAVE TO DO SOCIAL 
DISTANCING, EVERYONE HAS TO HAVE
A MASK.
WE'RE DOING TEMPERATURE CHECKS.
WE'RE DOING HAND SANITIZER WHEN 
YOU COME IN THE DOOR.
AND SO -- WE HAVE EVERYBODY 
SPACED OUT.
THAT HAS REALLY CHANGED THE 
WHOLE FOCUS OF THE WAY WE'VE 
DONE THINGS. 
>> Reporter: OFFICIALS IN 
LOUISIANA WORRIED NOT ENOUGH 
PEOPLE GOT OUT IN TIME.
>> I'M GOING TO BE HONEST, I'M 
CONCERNED THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE 
THE EVACUATION NUMBERS THAT WE 
PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE. 
>> Reporter: HERE IN BATON ROUGE
WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE EFFECTS 
OF HURRICANE LAURA, SUCH A 
TROPICAL STORM WIND GUSTS AND 
HEAVY RAIN.
OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT 
FLOODING.
>> ALSO A CONCERN IS THAT LAURA 
IS FOLLOWING ALMOST THE 
IDENTICAL PATH OF HURRICANE 
RITA.
THAT AREA IS ALL TOO FAMILIAR 
WITH POWERFUL STORMS BUT THEY'RE
CALLING THIS SITUATION 
UNPRECEDENTED.
>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT.
LOUISIANA FIROFFICIALS ARE SAYI 
LISTEN, IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE 
COMFORTABLE IN YOUR OWN HOME, 
DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN.
THIS IS GOING TO BE MORE 
POWERFUL THAN RITA WITH STRONGER
WIND GUSTS AND IT'S SOMETHING 
THAT OFFICIALS DON'T WANT TO 
TAKE A CHANCE ON. 
>> AS YOU KNOW, WHEN A HURRICANE
IMPACTS THE GULF COAST IT ALWAYS
HAS AN IMPACT ON THE OIL, GAS 
PRODUCTION.
WE KNOW THAT AREA, AGAIN, IS KEY
TO THE NATION'S GAS AND OIL 
PRODUCTION.
HOW COULD LAURA IMPACT GAS 
PRICES, DO WE KNOW?
>> WELL, GAS PRICES COULD GO UP.
SIMPLY PUT, OIL AND GAS WORKERS 
WERE EVACUATED, THEY WERE RUSHED
OFF OF MORE THAN 200 PLATFORMS 
OVER THE PAST -- THE PAST TWO 
DAYS.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT, OF COURSE, 
COULD DRIVE GAS PRICES UP AT A 
TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY 
FILLING UP THEIR GAS TANKS AND 
TRYING TO GET OUT OF THIS THING.
>> AND WE KNOW AS WELL, YOU 
TOUCHED ON IT IN YOUR PIECE 
THERE ABOUT THE EVACUATIONS IN 
THAT AREA.
WHAT MORE DO WE KNOW?
WERE A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE 
ABLE TO GET OUT?
ARE WE ASSUMING AT THIS POINT 
THAT PEOPLE ARE SHELTERING IN 
PLACE OR IN SHELTERS AND HOTELS?
>> YEAH, FOR THE MOST PART, 
PEOPLE ARE HEEDING THE WARNINGS.
OF COURSE, AS THIS HAPPENS EVERY
SINGLE HURRICANE SEASON, THERE 
ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STAY PUT.
AND COVID-19 ACTUALLY IS 
SOMETHING THAT IS STILL ON 
PEOPLE'S MINDS.
WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A 
PANDEMIC WHILE PEOPLE ARE TRYING
TO EVACUATE.
I SPOKE TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE 
AND THEY TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE HAD
ACTUALLY EVACUATED FOR SOME OF 
THE COASTAL AREAS.
300 ROOMS PAID FOR BY THE STATE 
OF LOUISIANA FOR PEOPLE TO BE 
ABLE TO STAY IN HOTEL ROOMS, 
THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT THEM IN 
CONGREGATE SHELTERS.
THEY'RE TRYING TO AVOID THE 
LARGE SHELTERS WHERE REALLY IT 
LIMITS THAT SOCIAL DISTANCING 
THAT OF COURSE THE CDC HAS 
ADVISED US ON.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT 
THIS IS -- ELLEN IS ONE OF OUR 
NEWER ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENTS.
WE THREW YOU RIGHT OUT THERE IN 
THE STORM.
PLEASE STAY SAFE AND WELCOME TO 
THE ABC NEWS TEAM.
>> Reporter: THANK YOU, IT'S A 
GREAT STORY TO BE ON, BUT 
HOPEFULLY WE WON'T SEE REALLY 
DEVASTATING IMPACTS. 
>> LET'S HOPE.
WE'LL CHECK IN WITH YOU LATER ON
THIS MORNING.
WE HAVE TO GET TO THE OTHER BIG 
STORY THAT IS HAPPENING 
OVERNIGHT, THE JACOB BLAKE 
PROTESTS.
>> TWO PEOPLE WERE SHOT TO DEATH
AND ANOTHER WAS WOUNDED TUESDAY 
NIGHT.
IT MARKED THE END OF A DAY THAT 
INCLUDED NEW DETAILS ON SUNDAY'S
SHOOTING AND A SHOW OF 
SOLIDARITY WHICH MAY LEAD TO THE
END OF THE NBA SEASON. 
>> Reporter: THIS MORNING THE 
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 
IDENTIFYING THE POLICE OFFICER 
WHO SHOT JACOB BLAKE.
THE INCIDENT SPARKING DEADLY 
PROTESTS AND BRINGING THE SPORTS
WORLD TO A HALT.
THE STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL 
SAYING THE OFFICER FIRED HIS 
SERVICE WEAPON INTO BLAKE'S BACK
SEVEN TIMES. 
>> THE SHOOTING OFFICER, KENOSHA
POLICE OFFICER, HAS BEEN A LAW 
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH THE 
KENOSHA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 
SEVEN YEARS.
>> AUTHORITIES ALSO REVEALING 
OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO THE 
SCENE SUNDAY WHEN A WOMAN SAID 
HER BOYFRIEND, QUOTE, WAS 
PRESENT AND WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO 
BE ON THE PREMISE.
ADDING WHEN THEY TRIED TO ARREST
BLAKE, A TASER WAS NOT 
SUCCESSFUL. 
>> MR. BLAKE WALKED AROUND HIS 
VEHICLE, OPENED THE DRIVER'S 
SIDE DOOR AND LEANED FORWARD.
WHILE HOLDING ON TO MR. BLAKE'S 
SHIRT, THE OFFICER FIRED HIS 
SERVICE WEAPON SEVEN TIMES.
THE OFFICER FIRED THE WEAPON 
INTO MR. BLAKE'S BACK.
NO OTHER OFFICER FIRED THEIR 
WEAPON.
>> Reporter: BLAKE TOLD OFFICERS
HE HAD A KNIFE WHICH THE 
AUTHORITIES SAY THEY FOUND ON 
THE FLOOR OF HIS SUV.
IT'S UNCLEAR IF THE OFFICER KNEW
ABOUT THE KNIFE AT THE TIME OF 
THE SHOOTING.
BLAKE WAS BREAKING UP A FIGHT 
WHEN POLICE ARRIVED.
THIS MORNING HE REMAINS 
HOSPITALIZED AND HIS FAMILY SAYS
IT WILL BE A MIRACLE IF HE EVER 
WALKS AGAIN. 
>> THE FIRST THING HE DID WHEN 
HE LOOKED AT ME WAS CRY AND THEN
BEGAN TO STAY, I'M SORRY ABOUT 
ALL OF THIS.
HE SAYS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT A 
BURDEN ON HIM AND I DON'T THINK 
I'M GOING TO WALK AGAIN, MOM.
>> Reporter: THE OFFICERS 
INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING ARE ON 
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING AN 
INVESTIGATION.
THE SHOOTING SPARKED DAYS OF 
NATIONWIDE PROTESTS, SOME OF 
THEM TURNING VIOLENT.
17-YEAR-OLD KYLE RITEN HOUSE IS 
UNDER ARREST IN THE CONNECTION 
OF A DEADLY SHOOTING FOLLOWING A
NIGHT OF UNREST IN KENOSHA ON 
TUESDAY.
ABC NEWS CONFIRMING THAT HE'S 
THE PERSON SEEN IN THIS GRAPHIC 
VIDEO WHERE HE'S RUNNING FROM 
THE CROWD.
HE FALLS AND APPEARS TO BEGIN 
SHOOTING.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TELL 
ABC NEWS THAT SOCIAL MEDIA 
ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 
NAME ARE PART OF THE 
INVESTIGATION AND THAT THE 
ACCOUNTS HAVE NOW BEEN 
DEACTIVATED.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE SHOOTING IS
NOW THREATENING THE NBA SEASON.
THE LEAGUE POSTPONED ALL PLAYOFF
GAMES LAST NIGHT AFTER THE 
MILWAUKEE BUCKS REFUSED TO PLAY,
PROTESTING AGAINST THE SHOOTING 
IN KENOSHA, JUST 40 MILES FROM 
THEIR HOME COURT. 
>> IT TOOK THE BUCKS TO LEAD THE
FOREFRONT.
IT TOOK GREAT COURAGE.
THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD, I WISH 
THEY HAD GIVEN THE ORLANDO MAGIC
A HEADS-UP.
THEY WERE ON THE COURT READY TO 
PLAY THE GAME. 
>> Reporter: THE LAKERS AND 
CLIPPERS VOTED TO END THE 
SEASON.
EVERY OTHER TEAM VOTED TO PLAY.
IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THREE 
GAMES WERE POSTPONED LAST NIGHT,
INCLUDING THE MILWAUKEE BREWER'S
GAME.
AND SPORTS BROADCASTER KENNY 
SMITH WALKING OFF THE SET LIVE 
ON AIR. 
>> AS A BLACK MAN, A A FORMER 
PLAYER, I THINK IT'S BEST FOR ME
TO SUPPORT THE PLAYERS AND NOT 
BE HERE TONIGHT.
>> AND BACK TO THAT MOMENT THAT 
WE SAW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE 
POINTING TO THAT EXACT MOMENT TO
SHOW THE STARK CONTRAST BETWEEN 
THE WAY THAT JACOB BLAKE -- HE 
MAY HAVE HAD A KNIFE.
INVESTIGATES ARE SAYING THEY'RE 
NOT SURE.
BUT THEY'RE SAYING THE FACT THAT
HE WASN'T GIVEN THE BENEFIT OF 
THE DOUBT, HE WASN'T ARRESTED 
AND TRIED IN A COURT OF LAW.
BUT WE'RE SEEING RITENHOUSE 
APPROACH OFFICERS, YOU SAW 
S.W.A.T. VEHICLE DRIVE RIGHT 
PAST HIM.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE POINTING TO 
THAT TO SHOW THE STARK 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW LAW 
ENFORCEMENT APPROACHES SOMEONE 
WHO IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND 
SOMEONE WHO IS WHITE. 
>> WE KNOW THOSE DEMONSTRATIONS 
ARE CONTINUING OVERNIGHT.
WE ARE CONTINUING TO MONITOR 
THAT.
WE WANT TO MOVE RIGHT BACK TO 
HURRICANE LAURA AND THE COVERAGE
THERE ON THE PHONE JOINING US 
RIGHT NOW IS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
OF LOUISIANA.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
HOW IS YOUR STATE DOING RIGHT 
NOW?
AND ARE YOU PREPARED FOR WHAT'S 
HAPPENING?
>> WELL, BRACING FOR THE EYE 
WALL COMES ASHORE IN CAMERON AND
BRACING FOR WHAT WE'LL SEE WHEN 
THE SUN COMES UP.
THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED STORM 
AND A DIRECT HIT AT CAMERON.
IT'S SURELY GOING TO BE NOTHING 
LEFT IN ITS WAKE.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THESE HOMES 
ARE ELEVATED AFTER THE LAST 
MAJOR STORM.
BUT PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY COULD 
RIDE OUT THIS STORM HAVE NO 
CHANCE IF THEY DIDN'T GET OUT.
>> AND, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, 
LAKE CHARLES MAYOR KIND OF 
ECHOED SOME OF YOUR CONCERN.
HE SAID I DO FEAR NOT ENOUGH 
HAVE EVACUATED.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO FAMILIES
THAT ARE IN THAT REGION RIGHT 
NOW?
>> IF YOU HADN'T LEFT BEFORE THE
SUN WENT DOWN, WE'RE PRAYING FOR
YOU BECAUSE WITH THIS TYPE OF 
STORM SURGE, WE DON'T EXPECT 
MUCH TO BE LEFT IN ITS WAKE, 
ESPECIALLY IN THE DIRECT PATH.
A LITTLE FURTHER INLAND, LAKE 
CHARLES, RESIDENTS OVER 200,000 
IN THAT CITY, HAS A BETTER 
CHANCE BECAUSE IT'S FURTHER 
INLAND AND WILL SEE FLOODING BUT
NOT THE STORM SURGE THAT YOU'LL 
SEE ON THE COAST.
AND IT WAS CHALLENGING TO GET 
PEOPLE TO LEAVE IN WAKE OF NOT 
ONLY THE STORM BUT THE 
COVID-19 -- SOMETHING WE'VE HAD 
TO DEAL WITH BEFORE THE STORM 
CAME ASHORE.
MOVING THESE PEOPLE NOT INTO 
LARGE SHELTERS BUT INTO HOTEL 
ROOMS WHERE THEY ARE SAFE FROM 
THE VIRUS AS WELL. 
>> A VERY STUNNING AND SOBERING 
HEADLINE THAT WE SAW OVERNIGHT.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, I'M SURE 
YOU SAW IT AS WELL.
CAPABLE OF SINKING ENTIRE 
COMMUNITIES.
WE'RE THINKING ABOUT YOUR STATE 
THIS MORNING AND WE KNOW THAT 
YOUR GOVERNOR, JOHN BEL EDWARDS 
TWEETED THAT PORTIONS OF I-10 
ARE CLOSED, I-10 EASTBOUND IS 
CLOSED AND I-10 WESTBOUND IS 
CLOSED OF THE BASIN THERE.
TELL US WHAT MORE DO WE KNOW 
ABOUT THE PREPARATIONS AND IF 
ANYONE IS TRYING TO GET OUT AT 
THIS POINT, I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE 
TELLING THEM TO STAY PUT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THERE'S NO WAY TO GET IN WITH 
THESE HIGH WINDS TO RESCUE 
ANYONE.
AND WE GOT TO PRAY FOR YOU AT 
THIS POINT.
IF YOU DIDN'T GET OUT.
THIS IS DEVASTATING NOT ONLY TO 
THE TOWNS AND CITIES, BUT I 
BELIEVE 82% OF THE OIL AND GAS 
IS IN THE GULF AND WE HAVE THESE
LARGE LNG PLANTS IN CALCASIEU 
AND CAMERON PARISH.
THEY BUILT WALLS AROUND TO 
HOPEFULLY WITH STAND A CAT 5 
STORMS.
WE'LL SEE WHEN THE STORM COMES 
UP.
A LOT OF ENERGY IN THAT INDUSTRY
AND A LOT OF PLANTS AND A LOT OF
JOB.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REBUILDING
PROCESS OF GETTING THAT WHOLE 
AREA BACK ON LINE AS SOON AS 
POSSIBLE. 
>> YOU TOUCHED ON THE 
CORONAVIRUS CONCERN, WHAT IS 
BEING DONE AT THESE SHELTERS TO 
ENSURE THAT THERE IS SOCIAL 
DISTANCING AND THAT PEOPLE FEEL 
SAFE.
THERE'S ALSO THE RESCUE EFFORTS 
AND PENDING RESCUE EFFORT THAT 
WE KNOW WOULD MEAN MORE PEOPLE 
DISPLACED.
HOW DO YOU REASSURE PEOPLE THAT 
ARE CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL BE 
SENT TO A PACKED SHELTER WHERE 
THERE WILL BE CONCERNS REGARDING
CORONAVIRUS?
>> THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM HAS TAKEN
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND MOVING 
AS MANY PEOPLE INTO HOTELS AND 
NOT BRINGING PEOPLE INTO THE 
LARGE SHELTERS WHICH WE HAVE 
PRESET UP, USUALLY PRIOR TO A 
STORM.
THEY MOVED AS MANY PEOPLE INTO 
INDIVIDUAL HOTEL ROOMS AND NOT 
IN THOSE LARGE SHELTERS.
WE'RE ALSO PREPARED TO USE OUR 
STATE PARKS FOR HOUSING PEOPLE 
AFTERWARDS AND THE TEAMS THAT GO
INTO RESCUE AND CLEAR THE 
HIGHWAYS IN OUR STATE PARKS TO 
GET THEM CLOSER TO WHERE THE 
DEVASTATION IS IMMEDIATELY 
AFTER.
>> MASSIVE EFFORT BY THE STATE.
WHAT KIND OF HELP ARE YOU 
GETTING FROM THE FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT. 
>> THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT 
PARTNER HERE IN LOUISIANA.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE BEEN 
THROUGH THIS MANY TIMES WITH 
MANY DISASTERS OVER THE YEARS.
SO IF ANY STATE IS PREPARED AND 
WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE FEDERAL
OFFICIALS, LOUISIANA HAS DONE IT
FOR MANY YEARS AND A LOT OF THE 
SAME TEAM IS HERE ON THE GROUND 
THAT'S BEEN WITH US IN PAST 
STORMS. 
>> YOU TOUCHED ON THAT ABOUT 
OBVIOUSLY YOUR AREA -- YOUR 
STATE KNOWS TYPICALLY WHAT TO DO
WHEN IT COMES TO A STORM LIKE 
THIS.
WE KNOW THAT KATRINA 15 YEARS 
AGO, ALMOST TO THE DAY, WHAT 
LESSONS WERE LEARNED OVER THIS 
15-YEAR PERIOD SINCE KATRINA?
>> I PERSONALLY RESCUED PEOPLE 
AND BROUGHT THEM TO MY HOUSE BY 
AIRBOAT WHICH LED ME TO GET INTO
POLITICS AFTER THE LACK OF 
RESPONSE AFTER THAT STORM.
THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL HAS 
GOTTEN A LOT BETTER IN 
PREPARING, GETTING PEOPLE OUT, 
GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT, AND 
RESCUING AND REBUILDING.
WE SAW AFTER HURRICANE SANDY, 
SOME OF THE LAWS CHANGED TO 
ALLOW PEOPLE TO REBUILD.
THE GOVERNMENTS WANTED TO BE 
USED IN A BETTER PROCESS.
SO WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT BETTER AT 
IT.
UNFORTUNATELY LIKE I SAID, WE'VE
BEEN THROUGH THIS MANY TIMES AND
LOUISIANA WILL BOUNCE BACK.
BUT WE'RE JUST WORRIED ABOUT 
THOSE PEOPLE THAT STAYED.
WE'RE PRAYING FOR THEM BECAUSE 
IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO RIDE 
THIS ONE OUT. 
>> YOU ALSO TALKED ABILIOUT THE 
FEMA RESPONSE.
ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS THAT THEY
MAY BE STRETCHED TOO THIN 
PARTICULARLY WITH THE 
ANTICIPATED DEVASTATION THAT YOU
GUYS EXPECT?
>> I'M SURE THEY WILL BE WITH 
EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON WITH 
THE FIRES IN CALIFORNIA.
THE NATIONAL GUARD DOES A REALLY
GREAT JOB AT REALLY GETTING OUT 
AFTER -- BEFORE, DURING AND 
AFTER THESE STORMS.
WORKS VERY WELL WITH THE 
GOVERNOR'S TEAM, STATE POLICE 
AND THE FIRST RESPONDERS.
AND WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT THEY'LL
GET IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND 
MAKE ANY RESCUES AND HOPEFULLY 
RESCUE ANYONE WHO STAYED BEHIND.
WHEN YOU HEAR WORDS LIKE 
UNSURVIVABLE AND ENTIRE 
COMMUNITIES TAKEN OVER BY WATER,
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
ONE MORE MESSAGE FROM YOU TO THE
PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA?
>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS
AND EVERY TIME LOUISIANA HAS 
COME BACK STRONGER THAN EVER.
LOUISIANANS HELP OUR NEIGHBORS.
WE'LL GET THROUGH AND WE'RE JUST
PRAYING THAT TOMORROW MORNING 
WHEN THE SUN COMES UP, ANYONE 
THAT STAYED HAS SURVIVED AND WE 
CAN START TO REBUILD LOUISIANA.
>> THANKS TO YOU, LIEUTENANT 
GOVERNOR, FOR YOUR TIME.
AS KENNETH MENTIONED, 
UNSURVIVABLE STORM SURGE, A 
STARK WARNING EVEN FROM THE 
LOUISIANA GOVERNOR WHO SAID 
WE'RE PRAYING FOR THE BEST, 
PREPARING FOR THE WORST, GOD 
BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES, BE 
SAFE TONIGHT.
>> WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE 
FOLKS THERE IN THAT REGION.
AS LAURA SLAMS THE GULF COAST, 
SOME CITIES ARE BRACING FOR MORE
THAN A FOOT OF RAIN. 
>> FOR THE LATEST, WE TURN TO 
OUR METROLOGIST.
GREG, IT IS FAST APPROACHING. 
>> IT'S FAST APPROACHING 
OFFICIAL LANDFALL.
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR NOT 
MINCING WORDS, THIS IS UNSER 
SURVIVABLE.
AND FOLKS WHO DIDN'T GET OUT, 
HE'S PRAYING FOR THEM BECAUSE 
THIS IS A STRONG STORM.
A STRONG STORM MAKING LANDFALL 
OVER THE HISTORY OF US KEEPING 
TRACK OF HURRICANES, ONLY NINE 
HAVE MADE LANDFALL AT 150 MILES 
PER HOUR OR GREATER.
THE LAST ONE, HURRICANE MICHAEL 
IN 2018.
WE'RE LOOKING AT CURRENT WIND 
GUSTS.
LAKE CHARLES STILL HAS NOT SEEN 
THE WORST OF IT.
THEY'RE NOW GUSTING TO 71 MILES 
PER HOUR.
BUT CALCASIEU, THAT SPOT THAT I 
SHOWED YOU, AS GUSTED TO 127 
MILES PER HOUR AND I'VE SEEN 
STORM SURGE AMOUNTS GET UP TO 
AROUND THE AREA OF 10 FEETD AND 
LIKELY STILL RISING AT THIS 
POINT.
WE CONTINUE TO WATCH THE STORM 
AS IT MOVES INLAND.
IT'S NOT OFFICIALLY MADE 
LANDFALL YET.
I EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN WITHIN 
THE NEXT HOUR. 
>> AND THE STORM HAS THE ABILITY
TO DRASTICALLY CHANGE THE 
LANDSCAPE.
THANK YOU.
>>> NOW TO POLITICS.
WITH HURRICANE LAURA BEARING 
DOWN ON THE GULF COAST, THE 
WHITE HOUSE TELLS ABC NEWS THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SPEECH TONIGHT
WILL STILL GO ON AS PLANNED. 
>> IT COMES AS VICE PRESIDENT 
MIKE PENCE WRAPPED UP NIGHT 
THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
CONVENTION WITH A POWERFUL 
SPEECH MAKING HIS CASE TO THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR RE-ELECTING 
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
>> Reporter: HEAVY IN SYMBOLISM,
NIGHT THREE OF THE REPUBLICAN 
NATIONAL CONVENTION FEATURED 
AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF AMERICAN
HISTORY AT FT. McHENRY.
THE NIGHT'S THEME, AMERICA, LAND
OF HEROES, HEADLINED BY VICE 
PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, FORMALLY 
ACCEPTING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S
NOMINATION FOR FOUR MORE YEARS. 
>> I HUMBLY ACCEPT YOUR 
NOMINATION TO RUN AND SERVE AS 
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES.
>> IT WAS HERE, THE SITE OF A 
BATTLE THAT INSPIRED FRANCIS 
SCOTT KEY TO WRITE THE "STAR 
SPANGLED BANNER."
ON THIS NIGHT, SPRINKLED IN 
MESSAGES OF DEMOCRATIC DOOM IF 
JOE BIDEN WINS IN NOVEMBER. 
>> YOU WON'T BE SAFE IN JOE 
BIDEN'S AMERICA.
UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP, WE WILL 
ALWAYS STAND WITH THOSE WHO 
STAND ON THE THIN BLUE LINE AND 
WE'RE NOT GOING TO DEFUND THE 
POLICE.
NOT NOW.
NOT EVER. 
>> SOME OF IF EVENING SPEAKERS 
INCLUDING KAREN PENCE, BUILDING 
ON FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP'S 
ADDRESS THE NIGHT BEFORE.
FOCUSING ON CONNECTING WITH THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
>> WE'VE ALL SEEN SO MANY 
EXAMPLES OF EVERYDAY AMERICANS 
REACHING OUT A HAND TO THOSE IN 
NEED.
HEALTH CARE WORKERS, TEACHERS, 
FIRST RESPONDERS, MENTAL HEALTH 
PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT 
OFFICERS, GROCERY AND DELIVERY 
WORKERS AND FARMERS AND SO MANY 
OTHERS.
HEROES ALL.
>> Reporter: THE NIGHT'S LINEUP 
INCLUDED CONGRESSMAN DAN 
CRENSHAW, MADISON CAWTHORN AND 
KAY
KAYLEIGH McENANY.
PRESIDENT TRUMP MAKING A 
SURPRISE APPEARANCE AS THE LINE 
BETWEEN THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE 
AND THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN SEEMING 
TO BLUR, SOME DEFENDING THE 
PRESIDENT'S CHOICE OF LOCATIONS.
>> THE WHITE HOUSE IS THE 
SAFEST, LEAST EXPENSIVE PLACE 
FOR THE PRESIDENT TO BE DOING 
THIS.
HE'S TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
>> Reporter: WITH TRUMP 
SUPPORTERS AND SPEAKERS RALLIES 
THIS WEEK, JOE BIDEN'S CAMPAIGN 
IS A VASTLY OUTSPENDING TRUMP'S 
TEAM IN TELEVISION ADS AS THE 
COUNTER PROGRAMMING CONTINUES 
AIMED AT DEFEATING THE GOP. 
>> OF COURSE, THIS ALL CAPS OFF 
TONIGHT, THE END OF THE 
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 
WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ACCEPTING 
THE NOMINATION THERE, AGAIN.
BIG SPEECH FROM THE PRESIDENT 
TONIGHT AND WE WILL HAVE 
COMPLETE COVERAGE ON ABC NEWS.
>>> WE MOVE TO HEALTH EXPERTS 
WHO ARE SLAMMING THE CDC FOR A 
SUDDEN POLICY CHANGE ON COVID-19
TESTING. 
>> A BIG HEADLINE.
THEY SAY TESTING IS NO LONGER 
NECESSARY FOR ANYONE EXPOSED TO 
THE VIRUS BUT IS NOT SHOWING ANY
SYMPTOMS.
THE WHITE HOUSE TASK FORCE 
AGREED TO THE CHANGE DURING A 
MEETING ON AUGUST 20th. 
>> ABC NEWS HAS LEARNED THAT 
DR. ANTHONY FAUCI DID NOT SIGN 
OFF ON THE CHANGE BECAUSE HE WAS
UNDER ANESTHESIA FOR A SURGICAL 
PROCEDURE DURING THAT MEETING.
>> AND BREAKING OVERNIGHT FROM 
CALIFORNIA, A NAVY SAILOR IS 
UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR A 
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
THE JULY 12th FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN
DELIBERATELY -- SET DELIBERATELY
AND INVESTIGATORS HAVE 
IDENTIFIED A SAILOR AS A 
SUSPECT.
MULTIPLE SEARCH WARRANTS HAVE 
BEEN EXECUTED AT THE SAILOR'S 
HOME AND PROPERTY.
>>> BACK TO LAURA NOW AS WE 
MENTIONED, THE STORM SURGE FROM 
THE HURRICANE COULD SINK ENTIRE 
NEIGHBORHOODS. 
>> WHAT EXACTLY IS A STORM SURGE
AND JUST HOW MUCH WATER ARE WE 
TALKING ABOUT?
WE'
GOOD MORNING, WILL. 
>> GOOD MORNING.
A LOT TO GET TO THIS MORNING.
THE LATEST ADVISORIES FROM THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE THIS 
MORNING SAY THAT HURRICANE LAURA
STORM SURGE COULD PENETRATE 40 
MILES INLAND.
WHAT IS A STORM SURGE?
WE TOOK A CLOSER LOOK.
THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS
FORECASTING A PEAK STORM SURGE 
OF 20 FEET CALLING IT 
UNSURVIVABLE.
SO WHAT IS A STORM SURGE?
BASICALLY IT'S SEAWATER PILING 
UP ALONG THE SHORE AHEAD OF AND 
INSIDE A HURRICANE.
ALL OF THAT WATER PILING UP OVER
THE OPEN OCEAN.
AS THE HURRICANE CLOSES IN OVER 
LAND, STRONG WINDS, 130 MILES 
PER HOUR IN THIS CASE, PUSH THAT
WATER TOWARD THE COAST WHERE IT 
HAS NOWHERE LEFT TO GO BUT UP 
AND INLAND.
THE SURGE FROM HURRICANE LAURA 
COULD REACH UP TO 30 MILES PER 
HOURS INLAND ACCORDING TO THE 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
THE WEIGHT OF THAT WATER, 
APPROXIMATE 1,700 POUNDS PER 
CUBIC YARD.
OUR GINGER ZEE EXPLAINS WHAT 
THAT COULD LOOK LIKE TO 
RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE PATH OF 
THE STORM SURGE.
>> SAY YOU'RE INSIDE A HOME, 
THIS IS WHAT IT MAY LOOK LIKE, 
THE WATER APPROACHING QUICKLY 
AND VICIOUSLY ENTERING YOUR HOME
AND CLIMBING UP THE WALLS.
HOMES FILLED WITH WATER QUICKLY 
REACHING EIGHT TO NINE FEET 
INSIDE THE HOUSE.
>> WHEN STORM SURGE COMBINES 
WITH HIGH TIDE, THE RISING WATER
CAN BE DEVASTATING.
STORM SURGE IS THE GREATEST 
THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY WHEN
IT COMES TO HURRICANES.
AS I MENTIONED, THE LATEST 
ADVISORIES THIS MORNING SAY THAT
HURRICANE LAURA'S STORM SURGE 
COULD GO AS FAR AS 40 MILES 
INLAND, COMBINED WITH ITS 
127-MILE-PER-HOUR WINDS.
OUR TEAM WARNS THAT EFFECTED 
AREAS COULD BE UNINHABITABLE FOR
WEEKS FOLLOWING THIS STORM, YOU 
GUYS.
>> YOU SAID IT BEST, THIS IS NOT
JUST THE SURVIVAL OF THE STORM 
ITSELF, IT'S ALSO THE AFTER 
MATH, THE STORM SURGE THAT 
SITS -- THE WATER THAT SITS 
THERE, DEATHS FROM FLOODING.
WE'VE SEEN ONE OF THE LEADING 
CAUSES OF DEATHS IN A HURRICANE 
AS WELL. 
>> WHEN YOU HEAR WORDS LIKE 
MONSTER OF A STORM, YES, THAT 
PUTS A LOT OF FEAR INTO YOU AND 
FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THAT 
REGION, AGAIN, STATE AND LOCAL 
OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING THE 
SITUATION.
IF YOU'RE SHELTER IN PLACE, IF 
YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN OUT, IT IS 
TOO LATE AND THEY'RE PRAYING FOR
YOU.
STORM SURGE COULD PENETRATE 30 
MILES INLAND INTO SOUTHWEST 
LOUISIANA.
WE KNOW THAT INTERSTATE 10 FROM 
TEXAS TO LOUISIANA IS CLOSED AS 
WE SEE THE STORM AND LANDFALL 
APPROACHING RIGHT NOW ON THAT 
TEXAS/LOUISIANA BORDER. 
>> WE HAVE THE NATIONAL 
HURRICANE CENTER SAYING IT'S AN 
UNSURVIVABLE STORM SURGE WITH 
LARGE AND DESTRUCTIVE WAVES.
THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS SAYING 
RESCUE CREWS MIGHT NOT BE ABLE 
TO GET TO THE AREA AND REACH 
PEOPLE FOR 24 HOURS. 
>> JUST IN INCREDIBLE.
WE HAVE A WHOLE TEAM OF PEOPLE 
ON THE GROUND IN THAT REGION.
WE HAVE METROLOGISTS HERE IN NEW
YORK WHO ARE MONITORING THE 
SITUATION AS WELL.
WE WILL HAVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT 
THE MORNING.
STAY WITH US RIGHT HERE ON WORLD
NEWS NOW AND ON ABC NEWS.
>> THIS MORNING, BREAKING NEWS, 
PART OF THE U.S. GULF COAST 
GETTING A DIRECT HIT FROM 
HURRICANE LAURA RIGHT NOW.
THE FIRST CATEGORY FOUR STORM TO
HIT THIS AREA OF COASTLINE IN 
HALF A CENTURY.
FAST
FORECASTERS WARNING OF MORE THAN
A FOOT OF RAIN.
 RAIN.
OUR METEOROLOGIST IS STANDING BY
LIVE. 
>>> ALSO BREAKING OVERNIGHT, 
VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE 
HEADLINING NIGHT THREE OF THE 
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, 
GOING AFTER DEMOCRATIC 
CHALLENGER JOE BIDEN, BUT MAKING
LET'S MENTION OF THE UNREST 
ROCKING SOME CITIES ACROSS THIS 
COUNTRY. 
>> THAT UNREST ON DISPLAY AGAIN 
OVERNIGHT.
MORE PROTESTS IN THE WAKE OF THE
POLICE SHOOTING OF JACOB BLAKE 
AS WE LEARN MORE FROM 
INVESTIGATORS, AND AS PRO SPORTS
STAND STILL.
ALL NBA PLAYOFF GAMES AND 
SEVERAL MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL 
GAMES POSTPONED AS PLAYERS SHINE
A LIGHT ON RACIAL INJUSTICE.
SO WHAT WILL THE PLAYERS DO 
LATER TODAY?
WE ARE COVERING IT ALL ON THIS 
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27th.
>>> GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU 
FOR JOINING US.
HURRICANE LAURA FAST APPROACHING
THE TEXAS/LOUISIANA COASTLINE.
THE MOST POWERFUL STORM EVER TO 
HIT THE GULF COAST, HURRICANE 
LAURA NOW PUMMELING VULNERABLE 
LOW-LYING AREAS OF TEXAS AND 
LOUISIANA. 
>> THIS STORM JUST BLEW ASHORE 
WITH DAMAGING WINDS, ALONG WITH 
A MASSIVE WALL OF WATER THAT 
COULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE 
COASTAL LAND SCAPE.
WE GET MORE FROM ABC 
METEOROLOGIST GREG DUTRA, GOOD 
MORNING TO YOU. 
>> GOOD MORNING, KENNETH.
WE CAN OFFICIALLY CALL IT.
LANDFALL HAS BEEN MADE AS A 
CATEGORY 4 STORM.
150 MILES PER HOUR.
IT HAPPENED JUST AT THE LATEST 
UPDATE, AND IT HAPPENED NEAR 
CAMERON.
RIGHT HERE WHAT IS WE HAVE 
ZOOMED IN.
AS A REMINDER TO VIEWERS, 
LANDFALL OFFICIALLY HAPPENS WHEN
MORE THAN HALF OF THE EYE HAS 
MOVED OVER LAND, AND THAT HAS 
HAPPENED IN CAMERON WHERE THE 
LATEST WIND GUSTS NEXT TO 
CAMERON/CALL KA SHOW PASS IS 127
MILES PER HOUR.
30 TO 40 MILES INLAND TO LAKE 
CHARLES, THE LATEST WIND GUST 
THERE IS 104 MILES PER HOUR.
IT HAS SINCE DROPPED BACK DOWN 
TO 98 MILES PER HOUR.
BUT THAT IS MORE OF A SUSTAINED 
WIND THAN A GUST, AS LAKE 
CHARLES, WHERE OUR OWN ROB 
MARCIANO IS LOCATED, IS GOING TO
SEE THE EYE WALL, THEN 
EVENTUALLY BE IN THE CENTER OF 
THE EYE OF THIS HURRICANE.
LET'S TRACK THIS OUT HERE 
THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS
AS THIS MOVES INSHORE HERE 
THROUGH THE 1:00 AND INTO THE 
2:00 HOUR, LAKE CHARLES GET
