Laura explodes into Category 4 hurricane packing 140 mph winds
Hurricane Laura's outer bands began lashing the Gulf Coast on Wednesday afternoon and forecasters' warnings grew more dire as the menacing storm crept closer to land. Hundreds of thousands have already fled from the ferocious storm, which is now the first major hurricane of the extremely busy 2020 Atlantic season. Experts are warning of potentially devastating storm surge and hellacious winds that could top 140 mph at landfall.