Former President Donald Trump has refused to condemn recent racist and conspiratorial comments from right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer, who traveled with him earlier this week to the debate and several 9/11 memorial events.

Cleveland ISD confirmed that a shooting threat at Cleveland Middle School on September 9 was investigated and found to be unsubstantiated, but an arrest was made as a precaution.

River Plantation in Conroe is a community with a significant elderly population. Many lack the physical capability and financial resources to restore their homes are such a devastating flood.

Archaeologists have been gingerly digging up the ground at a site in central Louisiana this summer to unearth and preserve evidence of prehistoric occupation.

We are right in the middle of tax filing season for 2022. Still, millions of returns from previous years are still not processed. The backlog is impacting a lot of people, including one Houston woman who called our KPRC 2 Investigates team for help.

The Houston Life Prize Wheel gives us the opportunity to connect with our wonderful viewers and gives you, the viewer, the opportunity to win BIG prizes.

Gay couples have begun to get married in Cuba under the country’s new Family Code.

Human-caused climate change made the record-smashing 2020 Atlantic hurricane season even wetter.

Agents Laura Schwartzenberger, 43, and Daniel Alfin, 36, were gunned down Tuesday while serving a search warrant at the Broward County home of a child pornography suspect. The service for Schwartzenberger was held at the Miami Dolphins' football stadium. It's a job with high stress, high emotional toll and high burnout,” Wray said of the agent, who was originally from Pueblo, Colorado. She'd talk to anybody and everybody about protecting children from predators online.”Federal government officials who attended the service with Wray were Acting U.S. Attorney General Monty Wilkinson and President Joe Biden's Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall. “During her 15 years as an FBI Special Agent, Laura Schwartzenberger was selfless, tireless, brave and committed to protecting some of society’s most vulnerable: its children,” Wilkinson said in statement.

HOUSTON – Dave Rojas, better known as “Downtown Dave” and founding member of the Big Hat Posse, died Friday morning after a battle with cancer and COVID-19, according to social media posts from his family members and others. “He put up a great fight and can now rest in peace,” Mark wrote in his Facebook post. Houstonians took to social media to express their sympathy towards the Rojas family. pic.twitter.com/vu65QBIBdW — Lindsey Henry (@LindseyHenry365) January 8, 2021RIP to @BigHatPosse, Our brother Dave Rojas aka Downtown Dave. Rest In Power Big Dawg, I know he’s already talking baseball with DK and Milo... — Stop The Insurrection SZN {.P-Nav.}

Lockdowns that France has used to fight the coronavirus have come at considerable cost to mental health. Behind her, the psychiatric emergency ward's heavy double doors — openable only with a staff member's key — thud shut. She is unnerved that she is starting to obsess about knives, fearful that her mental health might be collapsing. But the costs to mental health have been considerable. The pandemic has also had other mental health repercussions that are less evident but no less devastating.

Tourists walk on the beach as the tail end of Hurricane Zeta makes landfall in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, early Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. Zeta, the 27th named storm of a very busy Atlantic hurricane season, was a hurricane when it began raking across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula early Tuesday. It emerged in the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm but was expected to regain hurricane strength before landfall south of New Orleans on Wednesday evening. Officials in two Mexican states hit by Zeta reported power outages and damage caused by downed trees, but no deaths. The extraordinarily busy hurricane season has focused attention on the role of climate change, which scientists say is causing wetter, stronger and more destructive storms.

HOUSTON – As Hurricane Laura barreled toward the Gulf Coast a few weeks ago, in and around Houston, plants and refineries scrambled to shut down. During the shutdown and restart process surrounding Hurricane Laura, energy companies reported to TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) that 8 million pounds of emissions were released in Harris, Brazoria, Jefferson and Orange counties. There’s some opinion there but here’s a fact:During that exact same period that refineries shut down for Hurricane Laura, the state of Texas unplugged its air quality monitors in the storm’s path. Our state’s version of the Environmental Protection Agency is the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). See what TCEQ did in response to Hurricane Laura.

However, a project to protect Galveston Bay down to San Luis pass from storm surge is still in the planning stages. He and his colleagues have also recently proposed a plan to help mitigate storm surge in the bay. Storm surge removed or redistributed sand and dune areas along the entire beachfront on Galveston Island. Entergys response:ETI regularly inspects the transmission system and repairs and replaces components in order to keep the system in good working order. This enhanced the current transmission infrastructure with more modern and efficient technology to better serve the region.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend County is hosting a donation drive at 14 faith centers to assist the communities impacted by Hurricane Laura. Among items that will be accepted are nonperishable food, bottled water, personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies. Residents are invited to drop off donations at one of the participating faith centers between Sept. 3-6. “We are going to do everything we can to support those affected by Hurricane Laura,” said Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “Our county was fortunate enough to not experience the catastrophic impact of hurricanes last week.

HOUSTON – A Houston native tragically lost four members of her family to carbon monoxide poisoning after Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The people who died were all members of a large, tight-knit, Lake Charles family. Sheletta Brundidge said four of her family members were found dead and one was seriously hurt from carbon monoxide poisoning after the storm. After the family survived the monster hurricane that was Laura without any issues, far-flung family members thought the worst was over. Rosa’s husband Charles was found in critical condition and rushed to the hospital.

HOUSTON – A Louisiana family said they evacuated for Hurricane Laura only to end up living out of their vehicle in Houston. They said they left their information with the American Red Cross and waited, but didn’t hear back. KPRC 2 contacted the American Red Cross and the state of Texas and stayed with the family as they spoke to both the group and the agency. In the end, Thomas said the Red Cross will cover rooms for the night at the hotel where the family was parked. So far, the state of Texas said it has provided more than 10,000 evacuees with more than 3,500 hotel rooms.

TOMBALL, Texas Jake Carter and his family and neighbors in Tomball have turned his home into relief central for the people of Westlake, Louisiana. That is Carters hometown one of many places ravaged by Hurricane Laura last week. Our home is in Houston but our hearts are in southwest Louisiana, Carter said. This past weekend, he came up with the idea to put together care packages and deliver them to Westlake. Carter said its the least he could do to help his hometown from the new place he calls home.

One wedding planner turned renowned recovery effort organizer has now set her sights to bring help from Houston to the hardest-hit areas of Louisiana after Hurricane Laura. It was then on Labor Day weekend, the volunteer non-profit organization, Recovery Houston, was born. Recovery Houston went on to gain hundreds of volunteers and take on larger projects, long-term recovery efforts and even beautifying an east Houston school affected by Hurricane Harvey. This weekend, Labor Day weekend, were deploying teams to get Houston boots on the ground to go help our Cajun sisters and brothers, Creech said. Theres work for everyone, said Blaise Mladenka, Recovery Houston board member and long-time volunteer.

Houston, TX Just a few notes today on Hurricane Laura and what we can all glean from last week. The Canadian and ICON models preferred Texas. THE EUROPEAN MODELThe CANADIAN MODELTHE ICON INTENSITY MODELSo it was the American Model with the correct forecast. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FORECAST from when Laura entered the Gulf never varied very much and was spot onNOW WHAT? A viewer asked me if now because of Marco and Laura, the Gulf of Mexico has cooled down.

HOUSTON Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is slated to speak Monday to discuss Hurricane Laura recovery. The mayor is expected to discuss the Houston Paying it Forward donation drive to assist people recovering from the hurricane, as well as COVID-19 response. KPRC 2 is scheduled to live stream the news conference. Be sure to watch in the video player at the top of this article at 3 p.m.

The United Way and the American Red Cross are the principal agencies kicking into gear to help with the initial response and to help build communities back to normal. The American Red Cross is often on the scene before a storm moves in and stays long after its gone. Henry Van de Putte is the CEO of the American Red Cross, Texas Gulf Coast and gives the many options we have for helping the Red Cross help others. For those wanting to donate to the United Way agencies in that impacted area, they can text Laura to 40403And for those wanting to donate to the Red Cross, text Laura to 90999. Laura: A Near missthis timeKPRC Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley is joined by Jeff Lindner, meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District to talk about why Laura missed the Houston Metro and what to expect the rest of this hurricane season.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)HEMPHILL, Texas – Texas recorded four deaths Friday linked to Hurricane Laura, which roared ashore along the Louisiana border the day before. Sabine County Emergency Management Coordinator Kerwin Lloyd identified the first death as David Murrell, 54, in East Texas. One was 60, the other was 53, and both were from Port Arthur. At least two Port Arthur police officers also required hospital treatment for a dangerous level of carbon monoxide exposure, Burnett said. Officials blame Laura for a total of 14 deaths, with the rest counted in Louisiana.

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Houston rapper and philanthropist Trae Tha Truth and his Relief Gang are headed to Lake Charles, Louisiana, Friday to assist those in need after Hurricane Laura. “Meet us at Buccee’s in Baytown tomorrow (8/28) at 9am,” he wrote. Thompson has contributed to many efforts recently, including those focused on social injustices. The rapper has been protesting and organizing events centered around justice for Kentucky woman and shooting victim Breonna Taylor and Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen.

ORANGE, Texas – Debris, snapped polls and downed trees are now a familiar sight in the small city of Orange, Texas. Basham drove 1.5 hours over to Orange to help homeowners like George Lambing cut and clear trees from their neighborhood’s roads. Debrah Walker didn’t see Laura, but she heard it. I thought the window was going to cave in, but it didn’t,” Walker laughed. Orange, the easternmost city of Texas on the other side of the Sabine River, got hit the hardest in the state.

HOUSTON – Multiple Houston-area school districts will be closed Friday due to the ongoing brownouts in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. RELATED: Some Houston-area residents to experience periodic power outages due to Hurricane LauraEntergy announced the outages to its Texas customers Thursday after its transmission system suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Laura. These are the closures so far:

Clear Creek ISD -- The Clear Creek Independent School District is issuing an early release for all staff and students at noon Tuesday. Conroe ISD - Classes closed Friday due to power outages. Harmony Public Schools -- Closed Wednesday and Thursday. La Porte ISD -- La Porte Independent School District will be closed Tuesday so that staff members may prepare for Hurricane Laura. Montgomery ISD -- Montgomery ISD Schools closed Friday.

Everyone heard it: An unsurvivable 15- to 20-foot storm surge forecast for Louisiana. Bigger and faster equals badder.Likewise, surge increases with the size of the storm, the speed of the winds, the distance traveled over water, the angle the storm approaches the coast (head-on strikes equal higher surge). So lets look at our famous hurricanes this century for comparison: Katrina, Rita, Ike and Laura. All of them were plenty strong -- Ike at 110 mph, Laura at 150 mph, Katrina at 175 mph and Rita at 180 mph. The longer a storm is over water, obviously means a slower storm -- Katrina, Ike and Rita all traveled at a speed of 10 to 13 mph, while Laura zipped at 15 to 17mph.

ORANGE, Texas Robert Walker planned to ride out Hurricane Laura, just as he had with most other big storms that over the years have repeatedly pummeled this region of refineries on the banks of the Sabine River bordering Louisiana. But late Wednesday afternoon, as projections for the powerful hurricanes impact on Orange worsened, Walkers boss urged him to leave. Though Orange was the worst hit area in Texas, just 40 miles east residents of Lake Charles faced significantly more severe and widespread destruction. There is a collective sigh of relief across the county, Orange County Judge John Gothia said. Its like we cant catch a break, said Maureen McAllister, president of the United Way of Orange County.

HOUSTON – Texans, along with Houston-area residents, experienced power outages due to Hurricane Laura’s impact. According to Entergy, the power has since been restored for most Houston-area residents. Entergy announced the outages to its Texas customers Thursday after its transmission system suffered extensive damage from the hurricane. The current transmission line issue that has caused our power outages has been located and is in the process of repairs. Here were some suggested ways Entergy customers could reduce their electricity usage:Raise the central air conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees.

HOUSTON – Renee Lavine, a KPRC 2 photojournalist who grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, shared what it was like watching her hometown get battered by Hurricane Laura, which came ashore just south of the city. I’m worried. I just couldn’t even eat the whole bowl because I was just anxious.”Lavine said many of her relatives evacuated Lake Charles ahead of the storm. She continued, “I’m feeling like this is going to be very similar to Rita’s damage.”Lavine’s parents evacuated from Lake Charles to Houston ahead of Laura’s landfall. By coincidence, relatives of Erica Young, a producer at KPRC 2, evacuated from Cameron Parish to Lake Charles.

HOUSTON – See how some of the most beloved spots in Louisiana fared in Hurricane Laura as KPRC 2 travels through the storm-impacted areas. FROSTY FACTORY IN LAKE CHARLESFrosty Factory (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.) Frosty Factory after Hurricane Laura (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.) MCNEESE STATE FOOTBALL STADIUM – LAKE CHARLESMCNEESE STATE FOOTBALL STADIUM – LAKE CHARLES (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.) MCNEESE STATE BASEBALL FIELD – LAKE CHARLESMCNEESE STATE BASEBALL FIELD – LAKE CHARLES (Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

– Louisiana officials now know of 6 deaths tied to Hurricane Laura. The fatalities included a 24-year-old male that died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator inside his residence, Mike Steele, communications director for the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness said. A man, whose age is unknown, died of drowning while aboard a sinking ship. Earlier Thursday, a 14-year-old girl died when a tree crashed onto her family’s mobile home near Leesville, the Vernon Parish Sherriff’s Office said. Laura blasted through the Louisiana coast and made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane early Thursday, wreaking damage on the industrial, casino city of Lake Charles.

There are already several ways you can help those who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Health-focused relief help with AmericaresOne organization is organizing help for impacted health care centers. Please join us as we help our neighbors in E Texas & Louisiana who are affected by Hurricane Laura. How can I help hurricane victims? Before making a donation, we recommend everyone research charities that are soliciting donations for Hurricane Laura relief efforts.

HOUSTON – Hurricane Laura pummeled the northwestern Gulf Coast as the Category 4 storm came ashore early Thursday morning. KPRC 2 had crews stations across the region to cover the landfall, and their cameras recorded some of the sounds of the storm. You can see reports from each of our crews here. Lake Charles, LouisianaPort Arthur, TexasLafayette, LouisianaBeaumont, Texas

Whether it’s falling branches or flying stop signs, one can predict what will happen during a live shot — especially while covering CAT 4 Hurricane Laura! In the early hours of Thursday morning, Meteorologist Justin Horne, who works for KPRC 2′s sister station KSAT, was giving a live report on air when he had a close call that was caught on camera. In the video below, you can see Horne reporting live on the air when it appears to be a large flash of electricity that could have been either a lightning strike or blown transformer. pic.twitter.com/qDPdILkMBW — Justin Horne (@Justin_Horne) August 27, 2020Luckily, no one was injured and Horne, like a true reporter, kept going. UpdateHorne clarified the flash was from a blown transformer.

6:46 a.m. -- Heavy damage seen in Vinton, Louisiana after Hurricane Laura made landfallThere is heavy damage seen on restaurants, buildings and gas stations in Vinton, Louisiana after Hurricane Laura made landfall. 8:30 p.m. -- Hurricane Laura call center openThe Hurricane Laura call center is open for Montgomery County residents. Monday, Aug. 246:30 p.m. — Houston under Tropical Storm WatchThe city of Houston is under a Tropical Storm Watch with coastal portions of the city under a Storm Surge Watch. “The City of Houston is working to coordinate its response to Tropical Storm Laura,” officials wrote in a release. While the path of Tropical Storm Laura and Tropical Storm Marco remain uncertain Monday evening, residents and local leaders are taking preemptive measures to stay safe.

HOUSTON – Hurricane Laura was an extremely destructive storm as it made landfall in Cameron, Louisiana, as a Category 4 hurricane early Thursday morning. From Louisiana to Galveston, the KPRC 2 team has been covering the storm. Here’s a look at some of their stories. Vinton, LouisianaLake Charles, LouisianaSulphur, LouisianaBeaumontBolivar PeninsulaBridge CityAnahuacGalvestonLiberty CountyKemahPort Arthur

It is clear that we did not sustain and suffer the absolute, catastrophic damage that we thought was likely," Louisiana Gov. He called Laura the most powerful hurricane to strike Louisiana, meaning it surpassed even Katrina, which was a Category 3 storm when it hit in 2005. The storm toppled trees and damaged structures as far north as central Arkansas. The storm crashed ashore in low-lying Louisiana and clobbered Lake Charles, an industrial and casino city of 80,000 people. Bucky Millet, 78, of Lake Arthur, Louisiana, considered evacuating but decided to ride out the storm with family due to concerns about the coronavirus.

HOUSTON Hurricane Laura made landfall in Cameron, Louisiana around 1 a.m. Thursday. As the storm started moving in, people started sharing images and videos of what conditions looked like in their area. From debris to blown-out windows, these are some of the things people saw as Laura hit:A portion of Highway 87 on High Island is impassable. @KPRC2 #kprc2 pic.twitter.com/R2VUi06FVw KPRC Cathy Hernandez (@KPRC2Cathy) August 27, 2020Breaking news major damage in Downtown Lake Charles many skyscrapers have blown out winds. #HurricaneLaura #LakeCharles #Louisiana pic.twitter.com/cUc9NhX1lO Chris Bruin (@TWCChrisBruin) August 27, 2020Winds in the eye wall of #HurricaneLaura pic.twitter.com/w8SnTIVWCT The Storm Warning (@TheStormWarnin1) August 27, 2020

ORANGE, Texas Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday praised local officials who issued evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Laura as the reason for the low number of injuries and deaths as a result of the storm. He said treed damage was reported in Jefferson County, where winds of up to 60 mph were reported. Preparation paid off.Abbott said there are about 160,000 power outages in the Texas area affected by Hurricane Laura. The governor said anyone who has sustained damage to their property should call their insurance companies as soon as possible.

Hurricane Laura made landfall in Cameron, Louisiana, just 10 miles from where Young grew up. Young said most of her family lives in the area and their situation is no different. A lot (of my family members) have evacuated, which is unusual for Louisiana people, Young said. Lake Charles is feeling the effect, but as Young said, Laura pummeled Cameron Parish first. I am going to go back, and my house isnt going to be there, Young said.

HOUSTON With all eyes on the Gulf of Mexico and Hurricane Laura fast approaching, residents along the coast, from Chambers County to Louisiana, are preparing for the worst. As Lauras path approaches, residents and local leaders are taking preemptive measures to stay safe. Your resource guideLatest forecast updates from KPRC 2 MeteorologistsLive blog following all the latest updates, closures, and moreLIST: These are all the evacuation orders in place in the Houston areaLIVE SOCIAL FEED: What Houstons experts are saying about Laura and Marco right nowHere is KPRC2s 2020 Hurricane & Flood Survival GuideKPRC 2s reporters visited areas all along the Gulf Coast to meet with officials and residents who spent Monday preparing for severe weather. See those videos below:Chambers CountyGalveston Bay AreaHigh Island, TXGalvestonLake Charles, LouisianaBeaumontPort ArthurBolivar PeninsulaPolk CountyChambers County

AUSTIN, Texas A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a bystander during a fight on a downtown Austin street involving 60 Hurricane Laura evacuees from the Gulf Coast, Austin police said Friday. A police statement identified the suspect as Linton Wilson Alexander, 21, but gave no hometown. He was booked Thursday night into Travis County Jail without bond on a murder charge, jail records showed. Police say two groups of evacuees from Port Arthur and Beaumont brawled on a downtown Austin street about 12:30 a.m. Thursday. Greg Abbott credited the evacuation of vulnerable Southeast Texas areas for saving Texas lives.

HOUSTON The evacuation orders in both Galveston and Harris counties were lifted Thursday morning after Hurricane Laura narrowly missed the Houston region. The hurricane made landfall in Cameron, Louisiana, as a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph about 120 miles east of Houston. It was an even closer miss for Galveston, where the eye passed within 79 miles of the county. We were very lucky, said Galveston County Judge Mark Henry. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said that the effects of Hurricane Laura in the county were minimal and that people who evacuated can return to their homes.

Southwestern Louisiana went through Hurricane Rita in 2005 with similar results and now, in what looks to be almost the same spot, they will suffer through Hurricane Laura tonight. There are many reasons this will be so devastating, but the surge is poised to be some of the most decimating. Here’s why:WindWinds drive surge and right now winds are being reported (7 am) as 115 mph. The new 0Z European model below shows a landfalling hurricane with 136 mph winds! UPDATE: NHC is calling for 145 mph winds at landfall!

RICHMOND, Texas – Fort Bend County Judge K.P. Officials in Fort Bend County are preparing for possible impacts from Hurricane Laura as the storm approaches the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Laura is forecast to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday near the Texas-Louisiana state line. Fort Bend County is under a tropical storm warning with winds of near 40 mph possible as Laura makes landfall. Fort Bend County judges talks Laura Fort Bend County Judge KP George is discussing preparations for Hurricane Laura.

A big concern for your home and property are high winds as weather moves in. Now is a good time to get outside and bring in everything that’s not anchored to the ground.

HOUSTON – Power outages are a big concern for many residents when severe weather strikes, especially if you have a medical condition. According to the Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel, most utility companies keep a list of critical care and chronic condition consumers. Being on this list does not guarantee your power will be restored immediately, but emergency services workers can access this list to see who may need immediate attention. Many outage situations involve a large number of homes and people, it may take an extended amount of time for utility or emergency services workers to get to your area. If losing power means a life or death situation for you, it’s best to evacuate.

HOUSTON With much of the Gulf Coast bracing for Hurricane Lauras impact late Wednesday night, Tuesday was a day of last-minute preparations. If you want to brush up on getting ready for a hurricane, heres our helpful, downloadable hurricane resource guide so youre ready to go. KPRC 2 reporters covered some of the last-minute preparations that are underway Tuesday evening. Last-minute shoppingPower outage concernsEvacuation routesTraffic on evacuation routesCritical care patients

HOUSTON The City of Galveston has implemented a series of curfews over the next three nights ahead of Hurricane Laura. The first curfew will go into effect at 10 p.m. Tuesday night. Galveston Mayor Pro Tem Craig Brown signed the order Tuesday implementing the curfew, which prevents people from being on public streets or right-of-way and begins at 10 p.m. tonight, officials wrote on Facebook. The goal of the curfew is to protect residents from looters. Curfews will be in place for these times:Tuesday at 10 p.m. until Wednesday at 6 a.m.Wednesday at 8 p.m. until Thursday at 6 a.m.Thursday at 8 p.m. until Friday at 6 a.m.

GALVESTON, Texas Officials in Galveston County are continuing to monitor Hurricane Laura as it approaches the Gulf Coast. Galveston County Judge Mark Henry has scheduled a 1:30 p.m. news conference to discuss the storm and preparations for it. Henry issued a mandatory evacuation of Bolivar Peninsula on Tuesday and a voluntary evacuation of other parts of the county amid concerns about storm surge. The forecast track for Hurricane Laura has the storm making landfall very late Wednesday or very early Thursday near Sabine Pass. This story will be updated.

HOUSTON With Hurricane Lauras impending landfall, one crowdfunded website has set up weather cameras along the Gulf Coast. These feeds, coming in from Mark Sudduths Hurricane Track, aim to provide viewers with a view of the coast right from their living rooms. KPRC 2 isnt responsible for the reliability of the live cameras. See the webcams below:Port ArthurVehicle cameraLake Charles, LouisianaGrand Isle, LouisianaJohnson Bayou, LouisianaCameron, LouisianaHackberry, Louisiana

HOUSTON Mayor Sylvester Turner urges residents to keep their guard up as Hurricane Laura makes landfall. Turner said the Houston area that is most at risk is near Interstate 45 at Interstate 610 in Clear Lake. Hurricane Laura update WATCH LIVE: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other city officials are discussing what Houston should expect when Hurricane Laura makes landfall. They reminded people to:Review your hurricane evacuation plan and gather a hurricane safety kit, which also includes healthy safety items such as hand sanitizer and masks for each person. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo also provided an update Wednesday evening on what the county can expect from Laura.

Oil and gas producers evacuated platforms and rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and companies shut down refineries in the storm's path. More than 900,000 customers were without power in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, according to the website PowerOutage.Us, which tracks utility reports. The oil industry has been hammered since the start of the year, struggling with low prices after the coronavirus decimated demand. At the same time, OPEC was flooding the market with crude, aiming with success to put American oil producers out of business. Producers shut in 84% of the oil produced in the region, taking about 1.6 million barrels per day off the market.

HOUSTON – With all eyes on the Gulf of Mexico and Hurrican Laura fast approaching, residents along the coast, from Louisiana to Brazoria County, are preparing for the worst. As Laura’s path becomes more clear, residents and local leaders are making preparations to stay safe. Your resource guideLatest forecast updates from KPRC 2 MeteorologistsLive blog following all the latest updates, closures, and moreLIST: These are all the evacuation orders in place in the Houston areaLIVE SOCIAL FEED: What Houston’s experts are saying about Laura right nowHere is KPRC2′s 2020 Hurricane & Flood Survival GuideKPRC 2′s reporters visited areas all along the Gulf Coast to meet with officials and residents who spent Monday preparing for severe weather. See those videos below:

“Now we already have this priming of anxiety and stress compounded with this hurricane threat,” Passe said. But we’ve done hard things before and we can do another hard thing. Like sometimes I think we misinterpret that kids need for us to be a knight in shining armor. Remind them that you have been through other hard things and made it through and you will do it again and be alright4. Help give kids a little sense of controlOne coping mechanism is to help kids feel in control of something of their own, considering a lot of things around them are out of control.

Greg Abbott made a disaster declaration for 36 more Texas counties ahead of Hurricane Laura at the same time he outlined ways local authorities are planning to cope with the challenge of the pandemic and evacuations. Abbott urged families to isolate themselves and stay in hotels and motels to avoid being in areas with other people in shelters that are being established. Abbott likened the storm to Hurricane Ike in 2008, saying the threat of high wind is probable with the possibility of gusts coming far inland. Abbott urged people to heed evacuation orders and to avoid putting emergency responders in challenging situations by staying behind. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) August 25, 2020The forecast track of Hurricane Laura has the eye of the storm making landfall in Southeast Texas, but parts of the Galveston coastline are inside the cone of uncertainty.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)SABINE PASS, TX - AUGUST 27: Flooding caused by Hurricane Laura on August 27, 2020 in Sabine Pass, Texas. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)SABINE PASS, TX - AUGUST 27: Flooding caused by Hurricane Laura on August 27, 2020 in Sabine Pass, Texas. 4 stormKPRC 2 reporter Robert Arnold leans into the wind in Lake Charles, Louisiana, during Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27, 2020. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 26: Members of the Louisiana National Guard prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Laura on August 26, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (2020 Getty Images)

HOUSTON The Houston Fire Department showed off its expanded high water rescue fleet. After Hurricane Harvey, the department increased the number of its 5-ton high water rescue vehicles refurbished military vehicles to serve during flooding events. Now, there are nine high water rescue vehicles, each with a 10-foot intake. The firefighters are divided between the Water Strike Team, which trains for still water rescues, and the Technical Rescue Team which trains for swift water. The Houston Police Department also has 20 of the same kind high water rescue vehicles also stationed throughout the city.

Thats why tech expert Nick Wolny, is sharing the 5 must-have apps to help you weather the storm by staying safe and informed. FEMAFEMA (FEMA)Get the most direct and updated information about hurricane updates and exact information. RED CROSS APPSImportant information regarding both first aid and pet first aid. This app information is fully available even when offline, which is important in case cell towers go down. FIRST AID: AMERICAN RED CROSSFIRST AID: AMERICAN RED CROSS (FIRST AID: AMERICAN RED CROSS)PET FIRST AID: AMERICAN RED CROSSPET FIRST AID: AMERICAN RED CROSS (PET FIRST AID: AMERICAN RED CROSS)To connect with Nick, click HERE.

HOUSTON If you see price gouging, know that its illegal. Thats the message that state officials want you to know as Laura churns toward the Texas coast. A disaster declaration triggers stiffer penalties for price gouging under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. In preparation for the coming storms, I urge all Texans to be cautious of dishonest individuals looking to scam vulnerable citizens, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Have you seen price gouging?

GALVESTON, Texas A voluntary evacuation order was issued Tuesday for residents of Bolivar Peninsula, including unincorporated areas of Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, High Island and Gilchrist. Galveston County officials are expected to give an update on the order during an 11:30 a.m. news conference. After issuing a voluntary order Monday, the city of Galveston upgraded the order to mandatory on Tuesday. All residents were asked to secure loose items on their property and leave the island. You can read more about this and other evacuation orders here.

HOUSTON Leaders from both Harris County and the city of Houston are set to discuss preparations for Hurricane Laura. A news conference with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.Click2Houston.com plans to offer a livestream of this event. This story will be updated.

HOUSTON As Hurricane Laura looms closer, many may be wondering if theyre really ready for the worst. Community Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Kris Parrent shares what their team is doing and what you can do ahead of the hurricane. The Community Volunteer Fire Department was officially established on April 12, 1971. Here are some important storm safety reminders to help you get ready for Hurricane Laura. Community Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Kris Parrent shares what their team is doing to prepare for the storm.

HOUSTON Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough and officials with the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will brief residents on Hurricane Laura and preparations that are underway. This will be live streamed on KPRC 2 at 3:30 p.m.

HOUSTON When it comes to severe weather, Texans response is slightly different from the rest. Additionally, shoppers in Texas might actually have better luck finding a case of water because Texans are also stocking up on booze and laughing while theyre at it. In Texas, brisket is considered part of hurricane preparedness supplies. A man goes to a bar in texas: Can I have a corona and two hurricanes please. Just picked up my Hurricane Preparedness Kit pic.twitter.com/vvbA61yvbi cory (@coryhtx) August 25, 20208.

HOUSTON If you moved to Houston within the last couple years, riding out a hurricane may be something to get used to as a Gulf Coast resident. We asked our audience on all of our social media pages what advice you would give to a new Houstonian on hurricane prep. Depending where you are in the path will be dependent on how long you dont have power. Oh and stay home unless there is an emergency. - Brittany Taylor, KPRC 2 Facebook follower. If you have an electric garage door opener, know how to get your garage door open without power. - @kcmcnow, KPRC 2 Instagram followerWhat advice would you give to new Houstonians riding out a hurricane?

Workers for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - West, close floodgates in Harvey, La., just outside New Orleans, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in advance of Tropical Storm Marco, expected to come near the Southern Louisiana coast. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)PORT-AU-PRINCE Tropical Storm Marco was falling apart Monday but setting a messy stage for the arrival of Laura as a potentially supercharged Category 3 hurricane along the U.S. Gulf Coast. August Creppel, Chief of the United Houma Nation, was concerned about the groups 17,000 members, spread out over six parishes along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. McNoldy said he expects the storm to reach major hurricane status of at least 111 mph. For the residents of the Louisiana coast, theyre certainly lucky that Marco is not worse than it is, McNoldy said.

Forecasters raised the ominous possibility that warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico could super-charge Laura into a powerful hurricane. Laura's center was remaining just off Cuba's shore, and was not expected to weaken over land before entering the gulf. That's a recipe for damaging, hurricane-force winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph) as Laura approaches the U.S. coast, forecasters said. Rain bands from both storms could bring a combined total of 2 feet (0.6 meters) of rain to parts of Louisiana and several feet of potentially deadly storm surge, forecasters said. Basically that would be 10-feet plus along the southwest Louisiana coast line in a reasonable worst-case scenario, Schott said.

HOUSTON As two storms approach the Gulf coast, Harris County officials are coordinating a storm defense plan. Sanchez says Lauras forecasted track is constantly changing, which causes issues, but theyre as prepared as they can be. Outside of it, theyre tracking their resources like high water rescue vehicles. The good news is since Hurricane Harvey we have 60% more high water rescue assets in this region than we did back then, said Sanchez. Sanchez also advised that families need to a hurricane plan and hurricane kit.

Tulsi started as an enterprise reporter at KPRC2 in 2019. She specializes in in-depth storytelling, going beyond the breaking headlines to provide context and understanding. She previously worked at the Houston Chronicle and was a member of the Pulitzer Prize finalist team for their coverage of Hurricane Harvey.

HOUSTON With the potential impact that Tropical Storm Laura may have in the Houston area, the Houston Astros have made some changes to their schedule this week. Thursdays game between the Astros and the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park will be played on Tuesday as part of a double-header beginning at 3:05 p.m. In addition, Wednesdays game, which was originally scheduled for 8:10 p.m., will be moved up to a 12:10 p.m. start. The Astros will have Thursday off. They are scheduled to host the Oakland As this weekend.

HOUSTON As severe weather potentially heads for the Houston-area, many groups are preemptively issuing evacuation orders. Related stories and resourcesLatest forecast updates from KPRC 2 MeteorologistsLive blog following updates, closures, and moreLIVE SOCIAL FEED: What Houstons experts are saying about Laura and Marco right nowHere is KPRC2s 2020 Hurricane & Flood Survival GuideHeres a list of the evacuation orders in place right now:

HOUSTON With all eyes on the Gulf of Mexico and the two hurricanes brewing just a day apart, residents along the coast, from Louisiana to Brazoria County, are preparing for the worst. While the path of Tropical Storm Laura and Tropical Storm Marco remain uncertain Monday evening, residents and local leaders are taking preemptive measures to stay safe. See those videos below:EvacuationsGalveston County Judge Mark Henry issued a disaster declaration for the area just hours after the city of Galveston issued a voluntary evacuation order ahead of Tropical Storm Laura. First responders get readyIn anticipation of severe weather and flooding, the Houston Police Department and Houston Fire Department began preparing their severe weather equipment, boats and more to properly assist residents who might need aid in the coming days. See the video below:Coastal residents prepare for the worstLouisiana:Brazoria County:Jefferson County:Chambers County:

In the early days of Houston’s founding, one little ship paved the way to our city’s port. Built in 1835, in Louisville, Kentucky, Laura the steamboat was operated by Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel May Williams. Steamboat Laura Advertisement (KPRC)The steamboat was intended to travel through the Brazos River but was used for a different purpose during the Texas revolution. However, it would play another role in the history books, by traveling to Buffalo Bayou, making it the first steamboat to vessel through this waterway. Telegraph and Texas Register, Friday, January 27, 1837 (University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History)In January 1837, Laura took the founders of Houston and other prominent figures across the bayou to Houston.